Vodacom and Soweto Giants hand out 3 200 school shoes to learners
Grade R-12 learners receive a winning start to their school year as over 3 200 pairs of school shoes were handed out to them.
Thousands of children in Ivory Park and Soweto took steps towards achieving their dreams this week as Vodacom brought the stars of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs to hand out over 3 200 new school shoes.
On January 25, each learner from AB Xuma Primary School and Umqhele Comprehensive from Grades R-12 was assisted.
The 48-hour Drive of Hope was driven by the Vodacom Foundation which is based in Midrand. Their goal was to ensure that the economic challenges faced by South African families did not make their way into the classroom.
“These are two days that will change these children’s lives. They will forever remember it as the day their heroes came and handed them a pair of school shoes,” said Vodacom’s CEO, Sitho Mdlalose.
“The real power of this partnership is that these are schools that are supported by the Vodacom Foundation so this is not just a once-off but a consistent show to these learners that says we see you, we’re here for you and we believe in you.”
AB Xuma Primary.
The principals of both schools were overwhelmed by the support for their learners, many of whom come from the most at-risk sectors of society where even a pair of school shoes is beyond their financial reach.
For the football stars, it was equally a day they will never forget as many of them returned to the streets where they grew up to give hope to the next generation.
“I come from these streets. I know this neighbourhood having grown up in nearby Tembisa. I know how tough it is here for these learners. So coming back here and being involved in this project also gives me hope. We come from a neighbourhood that is not known for much and with no famous people, and something like this is just so special for these kids,” said Kaizer Chiefs star Happy Mashiane.
As she received her pair of shoes, Grade 7 learner Refiloe Shuping spoke on behalf of her fellow learners when she said, “This means so much to us. School shoes are very expensive for our parents, and they will be so proud of what Vodacom has done for us.”
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