A crowdfunding campaign by the Mandisi Tshingana Foundation has raised R60,000 in community support after a video circulated showing a teacher embarrassing a learner who could not afford a R50 pie and juice at school.
George, South Africa (16 March 2026)- At a time when the country often feels weighed down by difficult news, moments of kindness remind us that when people see someone hurting, they show up.
That spirit of compassion has been on full display following a heartbreaking incident involving a young learner from Thembalethu Primary School in George.
The story first gained attention after a video began circulating online showing the child sitting quietly in class while other learners enjoyed their food. According to reports, the young learner could not afford the R50 needed to buy a pie and juice at school as part of a fundraising initiative. What upset many viewers even more was that the moment was recorded by the teacher, with remarks that left the child feeling deeply embarrassed in front of his classmates. But out of that painful moment came something remarkable.
Content creator and community advocate Mandisi Tshingana stepped in, launching a crowdfunding effort through the Mandisi Tshingana Foundation to support the young learner and his family.
At first, the goal was modest. The foundation hoped to raise R1,000 to help the learner.
South Africans had other plans.
As the story spread, people began donating, sharing the campaign and rallying around the child. Within just a few days, the initiative had raised R60,000, surpassing its original goal.
The foundation described the response as a powerful reminder of ubuntu, the belief that “I am because we are”.
“This isn’t just about money,” the organisation shared. “It’s the beauty of collective collaboration, where voices on social media turn into real-life impact, lifting up the vulnerable and showing our children they are never alone.”
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While the moment itself was painful, the response that followed has told a very different story.
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