The reality of children walking long distances to school without shoes has long been a quiet but urgent crisis. For many learners, bare feet meant more than discomfort. It meant vulnerability, shame and a barrier to reaching their full potential.
Tongaat Hulett partnered with New Life Begins Organisation, headed by Councillor Zakhele Thabethe, to donate over 400 brand-new school shoes to 16 local schools around Ladysmith. The beneficiaries included both primary and high school learners from under-resourced communities, many of whom face the daily challenge of walking long distances to get to school.
Part of the school shoe donations took place during a career day at Mawukwini Community Hall. The event was also attended by SANCA, Social Development, HIV/AIDS organisations, parents, teachers and community leaders, all of whom supported the initiative and helped make the day truly memorable.
Learners from the following schools received school shoes that day:
- Sivukile Secondary School
- Lokothwayo Combined School
- Witteklenfontein Primary School
- Ngoza Secondary School
- Inkosi Nsthosho Primary School
- Nethezeka High School
- Ntokozo Primary School
- Sesikhona Primary School
- Mthandi Primary School
- Amahuku Primary School
- Magwababa High School
- Hlophe Secondary School
- Tatane Secondary School
- Entonjeni High School
- Inyamazwe Primary School
- Madilika Primary School
Tongaat Hulett Brand Manager, Mpumie Nqoko, shared:
“At Tongaat Hulett, our communities are at the heart of our business. We understand that education and youth are the foundation of our country’s future, and it is important for us to continue with initiatives like this to grow a sweet future for all.”
Those words reflect the true spirit of Tongaat Hulett and are a reminder that our communities will always remain central to who we are. By supporting children and their education, we take meaningful steps toward growing a stronger, sweeter future for South Africa’s youth.
