For some children, school shoes are a given. For many others, they are a luxury. As 2026 begins, South Africans are closing that gap with practical, thoughtful solutions.
South Africa (05 January 2026) – For many South African children, the start of a new school year does not come with shiny shoes, a fresh uniform, or that quiet confidence most of us take for granted. It comes with hand-me-downs. It comes with shoes that are too small, too broken, or not there at all. That reality is lived, daily, in communities across the country.
And yet, as the 2026 school year gets underway, something powerful is happening, as it does every year.
Across South Africa, corporates, retailers, brands, NGOs and community groups are stepping in to make sure that no child has to walk into a classroom barefoot or in unsafe footwear.
For parents already stretched by transport, stationery and uniforms, school shoes can be the final straw. That is why these initiatives matter. They remove pressure. They restore dignity. And they help children start the year focused on learning, not on sore feet.
FNB & PEP – 99c School Shoe Campaign
One of the most impactful back-to-school collaborations returns again, offering school shoes for just 99 cents to qualifying customers.
How it works:
- Available to FNB Easy or Aspire account holders
- Spend R300 or more in a single transaction at PEP (excluding the shoes)
- Pay with an FNB card and scan a PEP rewards card
- One pair per customer, limited stock nationwide
This campaign has already helped tens of thousands of families over the years, saving South Africans millions of rands in school uniform costs. It is intentionally designed to ease the financial load on low-income households when it matters most.
SPAR & Bata – R75 School Shoes
Another practical solution comes from a partnership that links grocery shopping with affordable footwear.
How it works:
- Spend R350 or more at SPAR
- Swipe a SPAR Rewards card
- Purchase one pair of Bata school shoes for R75
- Limited sizes and stock, while supplies last
This initiative gives families access to durable, quality school shoes at a fraction of the normal price. It is also widely used by grandparents, neighbours and community members supporting children beyond their own households.
Softer Shoes & Veldskoen – SchoolSkoen Project
The SchoolSkoen initiative blends quality craftsmanship with direct giving.
How it works:
- For every pair of SchoolSkoen shoes purchased, one pair is donated to a child in need
- Donations are distributed via schools and charity partners
- Some partnerships include additional bursary contributions
This model allows parents who can afford school shoes to directly help another child walk into school with confidence and dignity.
MyWalk (Netcare & Adcock Ingram)
MyWalk produces school shoes from recycled medical waste such as IV bags and oxygen tubing, turning what was once discarded into something life-changing.
Key features:
- Eco-friendly, durable, locally manufactured shoes
- Distributed at no cost through schools and education departments
- Supported by major corporate sponsors
- Notable supporters in recent years:
- Sanlam funded over 100,000 pairs for low-income schools
- Medihelp funded thousands of pairs for rural communities
Schools serving vulnerable communities are identified, and shoes are distributed directly to learners. Families do not need to apply individually, removing barriers and delays.
Adopt-a-School Foundation
Adopt-a-School runs targeted campaigns focused on restoring dignity and improving school attendance.
Focus areas:
- Learners in Quintile 1–3 schools
- Confidence, comfort and readiness to learn
- How it works:
- Funds are raised centrally
- Shoes are purchased and distributed directly to selected schools
Local community & media shoe drives
Beyond national campaigns, communities continue to show up for their own. Radio stations, schools, malls, neighbourhood groups and NGOs across South Africa run seasonal shoe drives every year.
Common formats:
- Donate a new pair of school shoes
- Sponsor a pair for a set amount
- Drop-off points at malls or schools
Shoes are typically handed out through schools, ensuring they reach children who need them most, without stigma or fanfare.
A pair of school shoes may seem small, but for a child, it changes everything. It means walking to school without pain. It means standing a little taller in class. It means focusing on lessons instead of worrying about broken soles or bare feet on hot tar.
As 2026 begins, these initiatives remind us of something important. Progress does not always arrive loudly. Sometimes it arrives quietly, in the form of leather, laces and rubber soles, carried by people and organisations who understand that dignity starts from the ground up.
And that is good news worth stepping into.
by 
amazing and heart warming stories…….Spar great initiative,I buy groceries for the company and all the vouchers I get for the R75 shoes,I hand out to staff who are able to bless children in their area……neighbours,friends ,helpers children