From Opportunity to Excellence: Two KLM Scholars Make Their Mark in South African Rugby

When Siphesihle and Thubelihle Marule arrived at Uplands College in 2023 as KLM Scholars, neither had ever played rugby. Just three years later, the twin brothers have become standout scholar-athletes—and are making history on the field.

This summer, both represented the Pumas, their provincial team, at Craven Week, South Africa’s premier high school rugby tournament. Think of it as one of the country’s most prestigious U18 showcases, where top young players compete for the attention of elite programs.

Thubelihle was named Man of the Match during the tournament. Siphesihle went a step further, earning selection to the SA Schools A squad, placing him among South Africa’s top schoolboy players. He is only the second Uplands player ever selected for a South African Schools side.

Their journey is a powerful reminder of what education and opportunity can unlock. KLM provides talented students from rural, economically disadvantaged communities with access to a transformative education at Uplands. Siphe and Thube have embraced that opportunity with hard work, humility, and determination—excelling not only in rugby, but in the classroom and across school life.

A Journey Beyond The Classroom

For nine KLM Scholars, a recent weekend at Ukhozi Game Farm offered something beyond a break from school: the chance to pause, reflect, and experience the extraordinary natural beauty of South Africa.

Made possible through the generous support of Miles and Jetje Japhet, the three-day visit brought the students together with the KLM leadership team and two KLM alumni. For many of the students, it was their first opportunity to experience South Africa’s remarkable wildlife and landscapes firsthand.

Days were filled with swimming, game drives, and activities led by KLM alumni Blessing and Sanele. Evenings brought stargazing, memorable meals, and the simple joy of being together.

After a year of hard work and growth, the weekend gave our scholars space to appreciate how far they have come—and the people who make their journey possible.

"If He Can Do It, Maybe I Can Too"

There is something powerful about seeing possibility in someone who once stood where you stand.

When Sizwe Lekhuleni visited Uplands recently, he brought that possibility to life for today’s KLM Scholars. Selected as a KLM Scholar in 2007, Sizwe has built a remarkable journey — from Uplands College to law school, a successful legal career, and now a role in legal compliance in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

For the students who met him, his story was more than an impressive résumé. It was proof that the opportunities they are being given today can lead somewhere they may not yet be able to imagine.

That is the power of the KLM community. Success is not simply an individual achievement; it becomes an invitation to dream bigger for those who follow.

As one student put it: “If he can do it, maybe I can too.”

Samkelisiwe and Wisani Begin Their University Journeys in 2026!

Samkelisiwe

There are students who excel in the classroom, and students who excel on the sports field — Samu has done both! Over five years at Uplands College, she has distinguished herself as a standout in quantitative subjects while simultaneously representing the school at the highest level of competition, earning her place on both the 1st team hockey and soccer squads. It is a remarkable combination of academic dedication and athletic achievement, and it speaks to a young woman of real discipline and determination. Now, Samu takes that same drive to the University of Johannesburg, where she will pursue a degree in Commerce and Accounting. We could not be prouder of everything she has accomplished — and we cannot wait to see what she does next.

Wisani

Wisani's five years at Uplands College have been a story of remarkable personal and academic growth. She arrived with talent and curiosity, and she leaves having evolved into a young woman of intellectual depth and quiet determination. Now, she's started her collegiate journey at the University of the Witwatersrand, where she will pursue a Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Economics, Politics, and Philosophy — a choice that speaks volumes about the breadth of her intellect and her eagerness to engage with the big questions shaping her country and her world. Wisani's journey is exactly what the KLM scholarship is designed to make possible — and her future is extraordinarily bright.