- Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube and Our Shoes Organisation donated 500 pairs of formal and sports shoes to three schools in Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, and Gugulethu.
- Vukukhanye Primary School principal Nokuzola William highlighted that many learners come from disadvantaged backgrounds and rely on social grants.
- Gwarube emphasized the importance of partnerships in education, while SGB chair Siphiwo Duduma expressed gratitude and called on more organizations to support underprivileged learners.
Staff and learners were over the moon when the Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube and Our Shoes Organisation donated 500 pairs of formal and sports shoes at three schools on Monday 17 February.
The schools included KwaMfundo Senior Secondary in Khayelitsha, Paramount High School in Mitchells Plain and Vukukhanye Primary School in Gugulethu.
Nokuzola William, the principal at Vukukhanye, said shoes meant a lot to the learners.
She said most of their learners come from disadvantaged background and survive through social grants.
“Not all the learners are good at their studies.
“Others are good at sport and soccer boots and sneakers will help them when they are going for training. While there are formal shoes as well which they can wear wherever they go.
“We believe that the shoes will make a difference in their lives,” said William.
Gwarube said the shoes were donated by the Our Shoes Charity Organisation, which annually collects about 50 000 pairs of “pre-loved” shoes from Ireland and donates them to underprivileged children in South Africa.
“This handover affirms our commitment to working with partners across the basic education sector to open up access and participation in sporting activities in our schools.
“The department remains committed to fostering holistic development in learners and supporting initiatives that break down barriers to participation in the revitalisation of sports in our schools,” said Gwarube.
School governing body (SGB) chair Siphiwo Duduma expressed his gratitude to the department and its partners and urged other organisation to come on board.
“We are happy as parents to see that there are people who care about our children. The people who want to see our children becoming successful,” said Duduma.