Stepping into a brighter future, one school shoe at a time
The target was 1000 school shoes for learners from the South Coast and surrounding areas.
There were bright smiles all around after brand new school shoes were donated to deserving learners hailing from different parts of KZN, thanks to the Operation Dignity School Shoe Project.
The KwaZulu-Natal Business Association (KIBA) hosted this community event at the Umzinto Town Hall last Saturday.
The organisation is dedicated to fostering economic growth, supporting local entrepreneurs and spearheading impactful community development projects throughout the province.
On the day, KIBA brought together learners, teachers and partners in support of school readiness and dignity. The beneficiaries selected were from 50 primary schools across the region, with roughly 540 learners and 90 teachers in attendance at the formal handover in Umzinto.
The target was 1000 school shoes for learners from the South Coast and surrounding areas.
The programme included contributions from KIBA leadership led by president Omie Singh, representatives of the KZN Department of Education and Deputy Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Narend Singh.
“This is more than just a donation; it is a commitment to the dignity and future of our children,” said KIBA president Omie Singh.
“By bringing together business leaders, education officials and law enforcement, we are creating a unified support system for our youth. This first-of-its-kind event underscores the KZN Business Association’s dedication to social responsibility and its pivotal role in fostering educational support within the province.”
Adding to the programme, Narend Singh reminded learners that dignity is not an abstract idea. “It is something we live, walk in and experience every day,” he said.
As part of DFFE’s Ministerial Schools Outreach Programme, he announced additional commitments to schools, including topping up school shoes, planting trees at participating schools, providing recycling bins and gardening tools and implementing environmental awareness programmes.
He encouraged schools to partner with the department on environmental education, adding that when you educate a child, you educate a nation.
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