The UK’s Prince William embraced the unseasonably cold weather during a visit to Ocean View High School on Monday to see the impact of charity work here.
The prince was reviewing projects by The Atlas Foundation South Africa.
Former England Rugby World Cup winner Jason Leonard started The Atlas Foundation in 2014. It uses rugby to inspire children, instilling the core values of the game in a safe and fun environment.
The visit was part of the prince’s itinerary during his stay in Cape Town for the fourth annual Earthshot Prize Awards, which honour innovative contributions to environmentalism worldwide.
The visit to the school was his second engagement for the day – the first, at a rooftop bar in Bree Street, was meeting 120 young environmentalists from Africa and Asia who are participating in the inaugural Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Programme.
Prince William was welcomed by Ocean View High School principal Andrew Sanders, head girl Lyndel Musandida, Mr Leonard and fellow Atlas SA trustees Sue Anderson and John le Roux.
He was then escorted onto the Atlas Digi Bus, a 40-seater mobile computer classroom for primary school children that is equipped with 40 desks and laptops.
Prince William met with Premier Alan Winde, mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, deputy mayor Eddie Andrews, and former Springbok player Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira.
He joined The Atlas Foundation students from Ocean View and Masiphumelele for a rugby coaching session run by former Springboks Joel Stransky and Percy Montgomery, Ocean View coach Denver Bowers, and The Atlas Foundation coaches.
Masiphumelele High School Grade 11 Asiphile Fumanze said he was grateful that he had the chance to meet Prince William.
“In our communities, rugby is a rare sport, but Atlas has given me the opportunity to play rugby and to love the sport,” he said.
Ocean View High Grade 9 Shantel Chuma said Prince William was just as kind as he had been on television.
“The Atlas Foundation has changed my life by helping me make new friends, allowing me to express myself in sports, and creating a safe space for learning. When I am on the field, I forget about all my problems,” she said.
Before departing, Prince William joined the students and coaches for a group photograph.
