Encouraged by his own past of having to walk to school barefoot, Brig Leonard Hlathi approached Liberty Life to assist the less fortunate learners of Phaphama Primary School.
His vision was supported by the Department of Education. They all partnered and made it possible that 420 new pairs of shoes were donated to the needy. Last week, the MEC for the Department of Education, Bonakele Majuba, did the handover at the school in Mkhuhlu in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. The learners displayed their gratitude through cultural song and dance.
Phaphama has 472 learners enrolled from grade R to 7, with a history of great performance and extracurricular activities such as spelling bees, athletics and soccer. “We are appreciative of this public-private partnership as it uplifts the education and development agenda in our communities,” said Majuba.
Hlathi, the former provincial police spokesperson, now a deputy district commissioner of visible policing in Nkangala District, had requested this donation.
“I am a former learner that went to school there for years barefoot. I started this initiative because I did not want history to repeat itself. I walked to school from when I was in grade one until when I left the school in grade seven. The winter season was not easy, though I wanted to get to school, and I hope this initiative will encourage others. Those that can afford to share should consider assisting others.”
Bheki Jiyane, Liberty Life’s regional head, said, “As Liberty Life we are grateful for the opportunity to plough back into the school. Liberty Life has a corporate social investment programme which always shows to communities that we care about educational upliftment.
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“Supporting education is key for Liberty Life, as education drives developmental initiatives in society.” The parents and community represented by the SGB and the traditional leadership expressed their gratitude to Hlathi for soliciting the donation, and to Liberty Life for this donation, which came at the right time.
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“We are also grateful to our social partner, Liberty Life, for showing that they care about our needy schools and learners, and for taking off the huge burden of lacking school shoes from both parents and learners,” concluded Majuba.
