It's not every day that a rugby World Cup winner pulls on a blindfold and tries to find a football by sound. On 3 September 2026, at our home in La Rochelle, that is exactly what happened.
A visit for the International Day of Charity
All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick led a Laureus Sport for Good delegation to Corinthians Africa ahead of the UN International Day of Charity on 5 September. He was joined by Laureus ambassadors Dan Nicholl, Motshidisi Mohono and Amanda Dlamini. Former All Black Dane Coles was there too.
The visitors toured our football, netball and blind football programmes, the STEAM centre and our sustainable vegetable garden. Then they were blindfolded for blind football drills with our players.
"Visiting Corinthians Africa and seeing the impact of this project first-hand has been incredibly inspiring," said Fitzpatrick. "It's what sport for good is all about."
Quoting Nelson Mandela, he reminded everyone that "sport speaks a language that young people understand."
What the Laureus Incubation Hub means
Corinthians Africa is part of the Laureus Sport for Good Incubation Hub. The programme supports organisations in six skills areas over six months, to make them stronger and more sustainable.
Laureus highlighted the issues we tackle through sport: fatherlessness, gender inequality and social exclusion. Those are the daily realities for many families in La Rochelle, Townsview, Rosettenville and the Springbok Park informal settlement.
"We are very grateful for the partnership with Laureus Sport for Good," said Mlungisi "Coach Jack" Msibi, founder of Corinthians Africa. "Sport is a tool to bring people together, but it is also a way to teach life skills and build confidence."
What comes next
The Incubation Hub is about building an organisation that lasts. For us, that means stronger systems, more coaches and more young people reached. We reach more than 3,000 people a month today, and we want that number to keep growing.
Get involved
If this visit inspired you, come and see us, volunteer, or fund a programme. WhatsApp us on +27 61 230 1352, email info@corinthians.africa or visit our Donate / Fund us page.
Media enquiries: Makhosi Mlangeni, 068 274 3159.