By Charmaine Ndlela
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has acquired a 5% equity stake in hospitality group Life & Brand Portfolio, joining the business as a partner responsible for marketing and new business development.
The partnership, announced in Cape Town this month, will see Kolisi contribute to the group’s marketing strategy, business expansion, culinary conceptualisation and social responsibility programmes across its portfolio of more than 60 restaurants in South Africa and the wider African market.
The group operates several established restaurant brands, including Tiger’s Milk, La Parada, Harbour House and Old Town Italy.
Speaking about his new role, Kolisi said the partnership presented an opportunity to prepare for life beyond professional rugby while contributing to a business with an established presence in the hospitality industry.
ALSO READ: Operation Vulindlela reports progress on reforms, but key targets remain behind schedule
“It’s a big honour for me. I think I’m at the stage of my life where I’m closer to the end of my career, and it’s daunting to think about what you’re going to do after,” he said.
Kolisi said he hoped to introduce more South African and African influences into the group’s restaurants through creative marketing, cultural activities and events that encourage social interaction.
His ideas include singing competitions, sporting activities, traditional food evenings and other entertainment initiatives aimed at making the restaurants more welcoming spaces for families and communities.
“I think the idea is how we can bring more people together, doing sports, making it more fun, having competitions and all kinds of things. I think we want to bring people together to talk,” he said.
He also identified community development as a key component of the partnership, particularly initiatives addressing gender-based violence, poverty, sport and education.
Kolisi said he wanted to use the group’s business networks and partnerships to create opportunities for vulnerable communities, working alongside organisations connected to his foundation.
“Most importantly, the community work that we want to do is that we want to make a difference to Africa. We want to do a bit more through coaching and the foundation,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Kolisi said he was proud to join a business that created spaces where people could connect and feel a sense of belonging.
“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.
Life & Brand Portfolio chief executive Trevor Wollheim confirmed that Kolisi had acquired a 5% stake and would oversee marketing and contribute to new business development.
“Siya is actually an equity partner. Siya owns 5% of Life & Brand, and he is going to be responsible for marketing in our business, as well as new business development,” Wollheim said.
He said Kolisi had already contributed ideas aimed at incorporating more African influences into the group’s restaurant concepts, with changes being introduced across its South African and other African operations.
ALSO READ: Former IDAC Head and Ex-Crime Intelligence General arrested over alleged docket Leak
Wollheim said Kolisi’s involvement in community development, particularly through the Kolisi Foundation, was among the reasons behind the partnership.
He said the foundation was helping to provide daily meals to approximately 8,500 children.
Wollheim also said the partnership had helped mobilise corporate partners to support the construction of schools and sporting facilities, including soccer and rugby fields, as well as provide equipment to young people.
He described Kolisi’s work in disadvantaged communities as a major motivation for formalising the business relationship.
“That was my main motivating factor of wanting to get involved with Siya, because of what he does with no notoriety, no appreciation. He’s not recognised for the work that he does behind the scenes. It’s phenomenal,” Wollheim said.
He said the group wanted to position its restaurants as more than dining destinations by creating spaces where families and communities could gather and share experiences.
“The vision for Life & Brand, again, is we’re a people business. It’s what we do. We want to engage more customers, create more experiences and entertain more families,” he said.
The partnership builds on an existing relationship between Kolisi and the hospitality group, including the First Cup Initiative, which channelled proceeds from warm beverage purchases across its restaurant network towards providing daily breakfasts for vulnerable schoolchildren.
The initiative sought to use the group’s national footprint to support childhood development and address food insecurity.
The collaboration also followed the Kolisi Foundation’s sixth-anniversary partnership with South African restaurants through the First Cup Fund, which ran from April 9 to May 9 and focused on childhood development.
Founded in 1998 with the opening of its first Harbour House restaurant in Kalk Bay, Life & Brand Portfolio, formerly known as the Harbour House Group, has grown into a hospitality business operating more than 60 restaurants across South Africa and the wider Southern African Development Community region.
The group is headquartered in the Western Cape.
