Spar throws weight behind run from Soweto
Grocery giant, Spar, has thrown its weight behind efforts by two politicians who are trying to make things better for poor learners in Limpopo.
Member of Parliament, Solly Malatsi and Member of the Gauteng Provincial Council, Makashule Gana are both enthusiastic runners and they have decided to use their passion for running to raise money to buy school uniforms, school shoes and sanitary pads for needy learners in Limpopo.
They will run 500 km from Soweto to Tzaneen, averaging 35 km a day, between August 7 and 22.
“As ardent runners who are equally passionate about playing our part in opening the doors of opportunities in education for poor learners, we decided to launch The Home Run for Education to achieve this.
“Both of us know the struggles of poor learners in rural areas with regards to lack of proper school uniform and shoes.
“We also know the pain and shame that many female learners endure when they have to miss school during their menstruation cycle.
“Statistically, one in ten girls misses a day of school monthly during their periods because they cannot afford sanitary pads.
We are leveraging our bodies to make a difference in this regard” said Malatsi and Gana.
Spar has joined forces with the two politicians by donating R10 000 to the campaign.
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In addition, Spar will provide them with food and accommodation along the way.
But Spar’s biggest contribution to the campaign will be the donation of 50 packs of sanitary pads for every kilometre covered.
Pads will be handed over at every Spar store the two men visit as they make their way from Soweto to Tzaneen.
“We at Spar are dedicated to the advancement of women and we believe that education is crucial to promoting this,” said Spar Group sponsorship and events manager Charlene Subbarayan.
“The donation of sanitary pads means that girls don’t have to miss school because of their periods.
We applaud the efforts of Solly Malatsi and Makashule Gana, who are using their passion for running to raise money to help poor pupils in Limpopo by providing them with school uniforms and shoes and we are delighted to be able to support their efforts.”
Anyone wanting to help can make a donation by contacting Solly on 083 943 1449 or Makashule on 082 773 4755.
