Sanlam, the largest non-banking financial services group on the African continent; Vumatel, a trusted provider of high-speed fibre connectivity; and Santam, the leading short-term insurer in South Africa, will all have their logos prominently displayed on all Boland Rugby Union kits, marketing materials, and digital content. This collaboration with Sanlam as the main sponsor, and Vumatel and Santam as the supporting sponsors, underscores their commitment to fostering the growth and development of rugby in the Boland region.
Karl Socikwa, Group Executive Market Development and Sustainablility at Sanlam, says sport is a profound socio-economic catalyst. “We are immensely excited about the impact this new collaboration will have. Sanlam’s promise is to help people throughout the African continent to live confidently, and we fully recognise the seminal role that sports can play in helping us keep this promise."
(From left to right): Karl Socikwa (Group Executive Market Development and Sustainability at Sanlam), Bennie van Rooi (President of Boland Rugby Union), Johan van Zyl (Representative of the Motsepe consortium), Neil de Kock (CEO at Stellenbosch Academy of Sport), and Quintin van Rooyen (CEO of Boland Rugby Union).
He says Sanlam's decision to invest as lead sponsor for Boland Rugby underscores its belief in the partnership's capacity to effect change. “Unfortunately, rugby in this region has been somewhat underinvested in the past. We look forward to collaborating with our partners to put Boland in the spotlight. Combined with the support of Santam, this sponsorship opens the door for the Sanlam Group to make a meaningful and positive impact on multiple fronts. Firstly, it makes a direct impact on the sport and its players. There are so many promising players here and we look forward to seeing them reach their full potential.
“And then secondly, there is a powerful knock-on impact, on schools, clubs, communities, and the region. At Sanlam, our purpose is to empower generations to be financially confident, secure, and prosperous. With so many schools and clubs benefitting from the injection of capital, development support and expertise, it will allow the sport to thrive in the area. More importantly, they give talented young people from vulnerable backgrounds a way to transcend those circumstances. Those people often then reinvest in the communities they came from.”