Shoes donated to learners not for sale, warns principal

Parents of Ekukhanyisweni Primary School learners have been cautioned not to sell the school shoes donated for their children.

School principal Yolisa Mvunyiswa said, if that happens, it would compromise the learners’ attendance, because the school is going to check the learners as they arrive, as to whether or not they are wearing the shoes, and those not wearing them will not be allowed to enter.

This was the warning given to the parents by the principal as she expressed her gratitude to donors, Albany and MyWalk, who partnered to deliver 1 239 pairs of shoes for the learners.
The donation was made possible after Mpho Beele from Alexandra, the winner of the Ntofontofo competition run by the bread producer, nominated the school as one of the beneficiaries.

Although the principal would not confirm the practice, it is widely believed that some financially strapped parents in the township often sell the donated items soon after they receive them. to score hard cash for other household needs.
“We are grateful to the donors for their kindness in donating shoes to all our learners in the school. Not just any shoe, but a unique one made from waste, water safe, and no need to polish.

“We appreciate the efforts of Mpho Beele for nominating our school as one of the beneficiaries because these shoes are going to keep our learners warm during this cold, and they will all look the same regardless of the situation back home,” Mvunyiswa said.

Albany brand manager Abongile Dzai said, “With this initiative, we are boosting learners’ self-confidence, because we know that going to school without a proper school uniform you lack confidence, and cannot operate optimally, which leads to obtaining bad results.

“The shoes will go a long way in ensuring that each student has access to quality footwear, promoting comfort and confidence in their daily school activities,” Dzai said.
Beele expressed her gratitude for being part of this initiative.

“I won the Ntofontofo competition, and then was asked to choose one of the schools as a beneficiary; I chose Ekukhanyisweni because I saw an improvement in my child who was schooling at this school, and I like how the school management is managing the school.

“I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for being able to give back to my community. I am proud to have been part of this process and hope my win will inspire others to impact their community positively,” Beele said.

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