The Mogale City Local Municipality and Absa today cemented a partnership that will see more than 2000 school children from all No Fee Paying Schools receive much-needed school shoes. These schools are located particularly in rural areas and townships throughout the municipality. In collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Education, a total of 2194 school shoes and socks will be donated to learners from 40 primary schools.
“Over the years, we have witnessed the dire needs of our learners in the country. Many of our children have been severely lacking in the most basic of human needs. Providing them with high quality school shoes is an important start in restoring dignity to our learners and helping them focus on learning,” said Executive Mayor, Cllr Patrick Naga Lipudi.
The campaign kicked-off today with Mogale City contributing 1000 pairs of shoes. Absa has agreed to match this by contributing a further 1000 pairs of shoes and over 2000 socks. “As an active member in the communities in which we operate, Absa could not sit back idly while learners were suffering. To this end, we are delighted to support Mogale City in helping more than 2000 children get shoes and socks. In essence, 55 learners from each school will now enjoy a new pair of shoes and socks,” said Oscar Siziba, Managing Executive: Gauteng and Limpopo, Retail and Business Bank, Absa.
Despite being in its early stages, the campaign is gaining impressive momentum with South African music icon, Ms Nhlanhla Ncinza (of Mafikizolo), a former resident and ambassador of Mogale City, also donating 110 pairs of shoes. “As a product of this town, I felt it is very important that I plough back by participating in this project and many other community development activities I am involved in,” she added.
Additionally, the Seventh Day Baptist Church will be donating 84 pairs to Thusong Primary school.
Ultimately, all Rural and Non-fee paying schools in Mogale City will benefit from this initiative. The campaign was officially launched at Lesego Primary School, a rural school in Muldersdrift today, with representatives of all 40 schools in attendance for the symbolic handover.
The delivery of these school shoes will continue from 9 – 30 April 2019.
