Learners from Tlakukani Primary School in Mamelodi East received 174 brand-new school shoes on Tuesday.

The generous donations were made by Transnet’s Shoes on Feet campaign.

Susie Mabie from the Transnet Foundation said the campaign is driven by the foundation and employee volunteers.

Mabie said this initiative aims to improve dignity, school attendance, and confidence for students in vulnerable areas, with support from our partners.

Mabie said the Transnet Shoes on Feet Campaign is an annual campaign.

“Our foundation is responsible for community development programmes across the country,” said Mabie.

“The Transnet Shoes on Feet Campaign is driven by employees across the country, in Transnet operations in Freight Rail, at the Ports, and at the Transnet Corporate Centre, who responded to our call for them to donate shoes.”

Mabie said that giving back to the community is something that their employees have taken to heart and have acted on.

“Every pair of school shoes represents a chance for you to walk into your classroom with dignity, to focus on learning, and to dream big,” said Mabie.

She further said to the parents of the learners that the foundation understands the anguish, the pain, and sometimes even the shame they feel when they just cannot afford to buy their child a pair of school shoes.

School principal Ruth Mashaba thanked the Transnet Foundation on behalf of the school and the many learners.

She said the donation came at the right time.

“The learners will never again feel like outsiders; they will come to school looking like other learners, and it will boost their confidence too,” said Mashaba.

“Most of our learners come from disadvantaged families.”

She encouraged the learners to take care of the school shoes by making sure they are polished and always shiny.

“Putting on new school shoes will give the learners a reason to wake up early in the morning, looking forward to coming to school,” said Mashaba.

The Transnet Foundation also encouraged learners to take education very seriously because it is the key to success.

The learners and the school have pledged that they will deliver a 100% pass rate in all grades.

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