The days when learners in Alexandra schools had to agonise over having to face the embarrassment of not wearing decent shoes to school will be a thing of the past.
This is all courtesy of the Flanagan & Gerard Foundation and the Bathu Care Foundation which joined forces to donate new shoes to more than 600 learners from three schools in the township.
The initiative aims to protect these children from winter’s chill and make their walk to school easier, with less physical discomfort and also facilitate better focus in class, which results in improved educational results said Cedric Diphoko, managing director of Bathu Shoes.
Homegrown Bathu Shoes, was founded by Alex businessman Theo Baloyi but the business is based in Centurion and is one of SA’s most exciting up-and-coming footwear brands which is loved by locals, and its success from humble beginnings has been described as ‘truly inspirational’.
The shoes were handed out to three local schools in Alex, Emfundisweni Primary School led by principal Thembi Giyama, Minerva Secondary School led by principal Nonsikelelo Tsatsi, and Realogile High School headed by principal Matthews Choshi.
Paul Gerard, managing director of Flanagan & Gerard, said the company’s foundation was delighted to have partnered with Bathu on this project while Diphoko of Bathu said his footwear brand had a special place in its heart for Alexandra as it was founded by a former resident of the township.
Diphoko added that the current donation had brought its philanthropy work of shoe donations in various communities to 70 000 pairs so far. Giyama said the community of the two foundations symbolised the coming together of organisations, communities and schools to foster better education and progress.
Choshi said, “Our school is situated in an area facing significant socio-economic challenges and many of our learners have struggled with not having proper school uniforms. Today, thanks to the generous donation of shoes, we can ensure that our learners no longer have to face any embarrassment of not having decent shoes.”
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