Ilitha ‘Mister’ Ntinini

School: SACS High School, 2019 – 2023

Currently: Grade 11

William Brooks, one of the Rialto Project’s founders, was approached to support the formation of a 1982 Class Year Bursary at his alma mater the South African College School. SACS had identified the candidate student for the bursary and William pledged his support through his company Capital Land. In addition to providing sponsorship, Capital Land through the Rialto Project also provides support and mentorship to this bursary programme.

It was the oval ball that sparked an interest in Ilitha ‘Mister’ Ntinini’s eyes as a nine-year-old when he was one of the first players enrolled at the fledgling Connect Sports Academy in Khayelitsha in 2014.

The Academy soon recognised his talent for rugby and arranged for him to attend Prestwich Primary School in Green Point where his skills developed further. This led him to secure a scholarship to attend the prestigious South African College School (SACS) in leafy Newlands.

‘His progress, and that of several other students from the academy, has been a striking indication of what can be achieved when young people are supported with consistent access to quality resources and opportunities,’ says Max Benson of the Academy.

It’s not only as flyhalf in the rugby team that Mister has shown his talents. He also excelled on the athletics track winning a race at the SACS/Bishops/Rondebosch triangular event.

‘Having nurtured Mister since he was nine years old, we’re excited and privileged to carry on that work to help him fulfil his potential as a young adult in the coming years, as a person first and an athlete second,’ ends Max.