The SPAR Group and Bata Shoes joined hands to donate 125,000 pairs of school shoes worth R10 million, brightening the future of South African children facing educational challenges.
South Africa (03 August 2023) – In a heartwarming initiative to brighten the future of South African children, The SPAR Group has joined forces with Bata Shoes, spreading smiles and hope by donating a whopping 125,000 pairs of school shoes worth a remarkable R10 million across the country.
A recent eye-opening study by the University of Cape Town shed light on the tough reality faced by many schoolchildren, who brave long, barefoot walks to school. For nearly 10 million learners, the struggle of transportation costs and the inability of their parents to afford school shoes leaves them with no choice but to tread through all kinds of weather without proper footwear.
Helen Barrett, the National Advertising & Promotions Manager at The SPAR Group, empathizes with these kids, sharing, “Walking to school without proper shoes can have consequences for children, particularly during the harsh winter months. The lack of protection from the elements and rough terrain not only hinders their attendance but can also lead to injuries, resulting in more missed learning days.”
But hold onto your hearts, because The SPAR Group, a shining beacon of compassion and support, has decided to take action! For three years now, they have been offering affordable Bata School Shoes through in-store promotions, and now, during this special Mandela month, they embarked on a magnanimous donation drive. Their generous contribution of 125,000 pairs of school shoes, valued at approximately R10 million, is set to brighten the lives of children in schools and charities all across South Africa.
The list of beneficiaries is as extensive as it is heartening, touching the lives of those in The Leva Foundation, Uviwe Child and Youth Services, Community Chest, and Khayalethu Youth Care Centre in the Eastern Cape. They also reached out to 25 schools in Tshwane, including Aerebokeng School, Pretoria School for Mentally-Challenged Children, Sedikwisanee Primary School Bogom, and the New Jerusalem Children’s Home near Tshwane. Not stopping there, their goodwill also graced Molenrivier Primary School, Voorwaarts Primary School, Panorama Primary School, and Goedgegun Primêr in the Western Cape, along with numerous other schools and charity organizations in the Lowveld, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng areas.
What’s even more delightful is that each pair of shoes donated was specially produced in the Bata School Shoes factory in Cato Ridge, Durban, with durable tread to withstand long walks and hours of play. A testament to the dedication and resilience of the factory’s workforce, who, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal, stood strong, ensuring the continuation of school shoe distribution to over 2 million South African scholars.
Barrett exclaims with pride, “At SPAR, we believe in the power of education and its transformative potential. Education is of vital importance to future generations and to the future economic growth of our country. School shoes contribute to a learner’s dignity and self-esteem, and because they complete a school uniform, they contribute to their sense of confidence. We’re just so privileged to be in a position to help where we can, and we won’t stop here.”
Let’s applaud this incredible partnership between The SPAR Group and Bata Shoes for their commitment to changing lives, one step at a time. Their boundless generosity has given these young learners not just shoes but also the gift of dignity, hope, and the confidence to embrace a brighter future. Kudos to The SPAR Group and Bata Shoes for being true champions of goodness and education!
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