Community steps up for school shoes at Mandela Day charity run
The morning saw the community unite to help ensure more South African children can attend school with dignity, one pair of shoes at a time.
The spirit of Mandela Day was on full display at Emeris Ruimsig on July 18 as families, runners, walkers and community organisations laced up for a 5km fundraising walk and run to help provide school shoes for children in need.
Hosted by Emeris Ruimsig in partnership with My Walk Made with Soul, Love Cities and Run/Walk for Life, the event combined fitness with community service while raising awareness of the millions of South African children who still walk to school barefoot.
Mandela Day, commemorated annually on July 18, encourages people to dedicate 67 minutes to serving others in honour of former president Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of public service.
Participants who completed the route within 67 minutes were entered into a lucky draw, while many also sponsored a pair of school shoes after crossing the finish line.
Emeris deputy dean of Community Engagement Dr Rika Swanzen said the event reflected the power of collaboration.
“We co-hosted this with community partners, so we didn’t approach it as a corporate event. Everything came from either Run/ Walk for Life or Love Cities,” she said.
Swanzen said supporting My Walk Made with Soul aligned with Emeris’ commitment to education and community development.
“Their research shows there are at least a million children without school shoes. Education is one of the most important things of all, so it was a natural alignment for us. We are very happy that we can contribute towards that goal.”
Founded in 2020, My Walk Made with Soul recycles uncontaminated hospital drip bags into durable, waterproof school shoes for learners attending mainly Quintile 1 and 2 no-fee schools.
Founder Delanie Bezuidenhout said the initiative addresses several social challenges at once.
“We collect drip bags from hospitals, recycle them into school shoes and donate them to children who don’t have any. We look after the environment through recycling, create jobs and help children get to school with dignity.”
She said the organisation has donated nearly half a million pairs of shoes since production began and aims to reach one million donated pairs within the next year.
Supporters can sponsor a pair of shoes for R49, with each donation covering the manufacturing and distribution costs.
For participant Hilton Gabriels, the event was about giving back while doing something he enjoys.
“Participating today was about helping children get shoes, doing some charity work and keeping fit. I like running, I like boxing and our organisation wanted to support the children in any way we can.”
Residents wishing to support the initiative or sponsor a pair of school shoes can visit www.mywalk.org.za.
