DJ Shimza’s shoes of hope now in its 11th year
Lesufi and Masina applauded DJ Shimza for his good work being done in the Tembisa community.
Ashley Raphala, DJ, producer and entrepreneur popularly known as DJ Shimza, visited Olifantsfontein Hall to donate school shoes to various Ekurhuleni NGOs on January 14.
Several back-to-school charity drives took place around the same time last month, but many residents commended DJ Shimza for consistently giving back to the community. The Tembisa-born DJ hosted the 11th annual Shimza’s One Man Show at Mehlareng Stadium in Tembisa on December 25.
The event aims to raise funds for the worthy cause of giving back to the underprivileged individuals in Tembisa and Ekurhuleni communities.
DJ Shimza was accompanied by Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi and City of Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina.
The DJ said he is grateful for the support from fans who buy tickets to the show and the support from relevant partnering stakeholders such as Ekurhuleni.
“These shoes bring hope to many children across the City of Ekurhuleni, its even renamed ‘the shoes of hope’, which symbolises positive reaction from the beneficiaries,” he said.
“The support has increased, as well as the need. In total we have managed to donate about 2 000 pairs Toughees school shoes.
“Its 2020 and schools have just re-opened. I wish the supporters all the best for 2020. I am grateful for the support shown in organising the show to prepare the handovers,” DJ Shimza said.
Lesufi and Masina applauded DJ Shimza for his good work being done in the Tembisa community.
“What DJ Shimza does relieves some of the weight on the government’s shoulders and encourages other business-minded people to reach out where possible,” said Lesufi.
Masina also added that there are bursaries available for learners in Ekurhuleni. They have spent over R400-million over the past four years.
“Each year we budget about R1-m for our children to get educated after matric,” said Masina.
One of the organisations that benefited from school shoes donation was Ivory Park-based organisation uMehluko Arts Production. The NPO was invited to have Christmas lunch at Mehlareng Stadium last December.
Thabang Maduna, uMehluko Arts Production founder, said his children were joyful to have spent Christmas day lunch with DJ Shimza at Mehlareng.
“The shoes will play a huge role in the children’s lives because they will go to school without any worries. The only thing left now is for them to produce quality results at school and keep on moving forward.
“This community needs more people like DJ Shimza,” said Maduna.
