Siya Kolisi puts community at the heart of his latest venture

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has joined Life & Brand Portfolio as a stakeholder, bringing his involvement with the restaurant group into its food, hospitality and community initiatives.

For customers who know the group through restaurants such as Tiger’s Milk, La Parada, Harbour House and Old Town Italy, the partnership could mean more opportunities to connect dining experiences with community-focused projects.

Kolisi said he was drawn to the role because of the way restaurants bring people together.

“Everyone has that place where they meet their friends, where they feel comfortable and can just be themselves. I love that Life & Brand creates those places. To join this family and help build more of that is something I’m really proud of,” he said.

The partnership will see the two parties work together on restaurant offerings, culinary concepts and social responsibility programmes.

One of their existing community projects is the First Cup Initiative, which used proceeds from warm beverage purchases across the group’s restaurant network to provide daily breakfasts to schoolchildren in underserved communities.

The initiative offers an example of how everyday purchases can contribute to a wider community effort, although the group has not yet outlined the specific programmes planned under Kolisi’s expanded role.

Life & Brand Portfolio chief executive Trevor Wollheim said Kolisi’s involvement reflected the group’s focus on bringing people together through food, culture and community.

“Welcoming Siya Kolisi into the Life & Brand Portfolio family is a defining moment for our organisation as he represents the very best of South Africa, resilience, leadership and a commitment to uplifting other,” Wollheim said.

The group operates more than 60 restaurants and says Kolisi will also contribute to initiatives linked to youth empowerment and sports development.

A two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain, Kolisi has built a public profile that extends beyond rugby, including work focused on addressing inequality and supporting communities in South Africa.

While the partnership broadens his involvement in the hospitality industry, details about the size of his stake, the commercial terms and any new community programmes have not been disclosed.

For now, the focus will be on how the collaboration develops across the group’s restaurants and whether its community initiatives can reach more people.

IOL