The Star newspaper showed love to the learners of Mvelaphanda Primary School when its staff donated 67 pairs of school shoes to learners.
The donation aimed to honour Nelson Mandela through the newspaper’s 67 Minutes for Mandela Day project.
The handover took place on August 2.
“We brought 67 pairs of black shoes in different sizes. Spitz, our long-standing partner, sponsored the shoes,” said the marketing and brand officer for The Star, Paul Hopane.
He said the purpose of the donation was to celebrate Mandela Month.
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He added the group also wanted to show Mvelaphanda Primary School learners that newspapers still existed.
The 67 learners who received the shoes were the ones who needed them most.
“We didn’t choose the 67 learners, but gave the school the responsibility to choose them because they know who needed them,” said Hopane.
According to Hopane, the children were happy to receive the donation.
He told The Thembisan the campaign only donated 67 pairs of school shoes because of a lack of resources.
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“We had to communicate with our partners who we always work with. We said if you can give us 67 pairs, we will take them to those that need them most,” he said.
Mvelaphanda Primary School principal TM Mathavha said the new shoes brought smiles to the learners’ faces.
He added that having shoes brings respect and dignity back to these learners.
“When the children arrived home, their parents would also be smiling. Sometimes as parents, we wish to give something to our children, but because of circumstances cannot do that.”
The principal told The Thembisan the donated shoes were of great quality.
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“This is done in the name of Nelson Mandela. The love that Mandela showed to children is now seen again.
“This means his legacy will remain and would continue to the next generation. It shows that we didn’t lose track of what Mandela showed us,” he said.
