In a display of community spirit, the Shaka Easter Tournament has donated 200 pairs of school shoes to Soshanguve schools as part of its corporate social investment commitment.
The donation ceremony saw learners, teachers and tournament officials gather to witness the handing over of the new shoes.
Shaka Easter Tournament president Tshepo Letjane, Miss Tshwane University of Technology Soshanguve Campus Sharon Maluleke and the educators of the Shalom Primary School, Central Secondary School and Matlapeng Primary School had their hands full as 67 learners from each school became emotional after receiving their new pairs of school shoes.
Matlapeng headmaster Elizar Radipale said it was a great relief to know that some of the learners will no longer be bullied or teased by other learners due to not having shoes.
“We are grateful for this donation because these learners will now have one less thing to worry about,” she said.
Letjane said the Shaka Easter Tournament is focused on delivering sustainable and impactful solutions within communities, and their dream is to see the tournament being recognised not only in Soshanguve communities but all around the country.
“We want to use this event to highlight the social challenges of substance abuse, gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy and negligence of senior citizens in Soshanguve,” he said.
He added that they got involved in the shoe donation project because South Africa is plagued by poverty and many disadvantaged learners drop out of school annually for no reason other than lacking basic items like a uniform and school shoes.
“The cold winter mornings also have a significant impact on school attendance, children in south Africa either go to school barefoot or without proper school wear,” he said.
Letjane added that the aim of the school shoe donation campaign is to restore the dignity and self-esteem of the children and increase school attendance.
Central Secondary principal Kelebogile Maake said they are so grateful for the support that got from the Shaka Easter Tournament.
“We are truly humbled by the ongoing support we have received as the school and community in this school shoe drive,” she added.
Letjane added that their social cohesion programmes have resulted in building shared values among the communities, reducing crime against pupils who are not from the area.
“Providing a child with shoes always melts my heart, the gratitude and pride on a child’s face when receiving new school shoes is priceless, and we have promised to expand the donation two to three times next year,” he added.
Pretoria News