The Springboks’ World Cup win inspired a remarkable R12 million pledge from Dis-Chem to address South Africa’s challenges.
Johannesburg, South Africa (07 November 2023) – In the wake of the Springboks’ historic Rugby World Cup victory, South Africa has witnessed a remarkable surge in positive energy and unity. This triumphant moment, led by the indomitable Siya Kolisi and his team, has not only united the nation but also sparked a wave of goodwill and generosity.
Dis-Chem CEO Rui Morais was so moved by the transformation in South Africa’s collective spirit following the Springboks’ resounding success that he penned a heartfelt letter to Siya Kolisi and the team.
In his letter, Morais celebrated the significant shift in momentum brought about by the Springboks’ fourth Rugby World Cup win. He went on to make a remarkable pledge: R12 million, with one million Rand for every point scored in the final match, to address the challenges faced by the people of South Africa.
Dis-Chem, a national brand committed to doing national good, has taken a momentous step towards making a tangible difference in the lives of South Africans. They’ve committed to funding one sustainable and measurable project each month, totalling R1 million per project over the course of 12 months. These projects, selected with input from Dis-Chem staff, will target pressing concerns, thereby addressing the nation’s most significant challenges.
Morais’ letter beautifully encapsulated the impact of this pivotal moment: “Momentum is a powerful force – both in a positive and negative way. To add to momentum is incredibly easy – it snowballs, but to change its direction can prove unbelievably difficult! You guys created, in my very simple assessment of South Africa’s directional momentum, a positive and sizeable shift in our nation’s energy and sentiment.”
This inspiring commitment by Dis-Chem signifies more than just financial support; it marks a symbol of hope, unity, and change. Siya Kolisi and the Springboks’ victory not only brought the nation together but also ignited a positive shift in individual perspectives and attitudes. It serves as a reminder of the power of collective success in fostering change and inspiration within a nation. Dis-Chem’s pledge aims to invest in this momentum change, taking the newfound sense of hope and camaraderie as a catalyst for a better tomorrow.
The R12 million investment, equivalent to the 12 winning points in the final match, will be directed toward projects that address South Africa’s most pressing issues, in a sustainable and focused manner.
The importance of this commitment goes beyond mere financial support; it signifies a collective responsibility to continue the positive trajectory that the Springboks’ victory has set in motion. It’s a way to preserve the spirit of unity and optimism that the win generated and ensure that it lasts as long as possible. It’s a clear reflection of the resilience and determination of South Africans to confront and conquer challenges with unwavering resolve.
In addition to this heartwarming pledge, Dis-Chem has declared that December 15, proclaimed as a public holiday by President Ramaphosa in recognition of the Springbok victory, should be named National Heroes Day. This day will celebrate all those who contribute to making South Africa a great nation, reflecting Dis-Chem’s commitment to being a National Hero by investing in the country’s betterment.
To ensure that National Heroes Day on December 15th has a meaningful and tangible social impact, Dis-Chem plans to kick off the first of the 12 projects on that date, with the remaining projects set to roll out during 2024.
As we look forward to a brighter future, we can all take inspiration from Siya Kolisi, the Springboks, and the generosity of Dis-Chem. Their dedication to tackling South African challenges head-on demonstrates that positive change is not only possible but achievable when a nation comes together in unity and hope.
Stronger Together!
You can read Rui Morais’ letter below:
Our RWC Springboks – South Africa’s Momentum Shifters
To Siya, the team and everyone involved in our incredible Rugby World Cup win!
Momentum is a powerful force – both in a positive and negative way.
To add to momentum is incredibly easy – it snowballs, but to change its direction can prove unbelievably difficult!
I am an incredibly proud South African, and have a strong belief that, as before, each of the challenges that face our country, and its people will ultimately be navigated into the past. There is a stubborn resilience to South Africans – which no one embodied better than yourselves starting with your wins in the knock-out stages and ultimately with the final triumph on Saturday evening.
I generally get my own perspective on South Africa’s directional momentum and the morale of the country and its people from my morning runs. Arguably, it is a very small sample, but it is often a true reflection of how South Africans are feeling.
Every morning – as I do a customary run to help my clarity of thought – I greet whomever I see along the way. I feel an obligation to share a greeting with a fellow South African – regardless of their purpose, their reason to be on the road or their general daily mood.
Recently the extent of the reciprocal greetings – the hello or good mornings back – have been less forthcoming. To me it signals the directional momentum that our country is experiencing with the many challenges we all face.
This Sunday, during my daily run, it was different – you guys created, in my very simple assessment of South Africa’s directional momentum, a positive and sizeable shift in our nation’s energy and sentiment.
I ran past 15 people on my run that morning – every single person greeted me – in some instances before I could greet them!
The realisation of this momentum shift struck me as I ran past a homeless man who I run past on many occasions. There is never a greeting, and I personally cannot blame him: his circumstances and his difficulties are not known to me, and I can only imagine how challenging it is day-to-day for him. On Sunday morning, when I greeted him, he looked up and greeted me back – his usual uncompromising, scared, hopeless look changed to a friendly smile. Truthfully, I have no idea if the win had anything to do with his reaction but what struck me was the importance of changing South Africa’s momentum. The momentum yourself and your entire team created.
As I thought about this more and more – as I thought about each of the 15 people who had greeted me and encouraged me to think positively, I realised the impression that your momentum-shifting victory had on our nation. It wasn’t only about uniting us – it was simply one event that brought out a better version of each of those individuals including myself that lead to shifting our personal momentum and the positive impact that then transpires.
It inspired me, through our Group, to think of ways to invest in the start of this momentum change, to take that moment of good and ensure that we deliver on the responsibility to continue that.
The 12 winning points signal the momentum change and as Dis-Chem, SA’s other green brand, we want to invest one million rand per point, over 12 months into projects that tackle the core of South Africa’s challenges.
It’s our contribution to investing into our country, not in an isolated once off manner, but into a focussed sustainable way that truly speaks to a directional change in momentum. One that takes your win and our country’s victory as the catalyst for the realisation of hope and the betterment of our wonderful nation.
We have no doubt, given the chance, that every South African would want to bottle the feeling from Saturday night’s win and the unity that it inspires, and hold on to it for as long as possible. Perhaps this is one small way we can prolong the ‘gees’ for a little bit longer.
We thank you for creating the platform, through your victory, to inspire us to add to changing South Africa’s momentum!