By Lebone Rodah Mosima
A donation of 500 pairs of school shoes to learners in Mpumalanga is aimed at removing basic barriers to school attendance and participation, the provincial education department said on Monday.
The Mpumalanga Department of Education, in partnership with ABSA Bank, handed over the shoes to learners at Kwena Combined School in Emakhazeni Local Municipality.
The department said the donation formed part of ABSA’s Community Development and Corporate Social Investment initiative, which focuses on supporting learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“When a learner comes to school without proper shoes, especially during winter, their ability to concentrate and participate fully is compromised,” the department said.
“This intervention will ensure that 500 learners can walk to school with dignity and be fully present in the classroom. It directly supports our efforts to improve attendance and retention.”
The department said many learners at Kwena Combined School travel long distances to school each day and that the new shoes would make a significant difference.
The school’s principal, on behalf of the School Governing Body and parents, thanked the department and ABSA, saying partnerships of this nature gave hope to schools and showed learners that their education mattered to the broader community.
ABSA representatives also reiterated the bank’s commitment to education as part of its community development work.
The bank said education remained a key tool in breaking the cycle of poverty and that it would continue working with government to support vulnerable learners across the province.
The department said the initiative was aligned with its Rhandza Xikolo Xa Wena, or Love Your School, campaign, a flagship programme led by the Premier which calls on business, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, alumni and community members to support schools.
The campaign is based on the principle of Babize Bonke, which encourages collective responsibility and volunteerism in addressing challenges faced by schools.
The department said it would continue seeking partnerships with the private sector and other stakeholders to address learner needs, including infrastructure, learning materials, support and wellbeing.
“As government, we cannot do it alone. The partnership with ABSA today demonstrates the value of collective action in addressing barriers that may affect learners’ participation in education,” the department said.
“Every contribution towards a learner is an investment in the future of Mpumalanga and South Africa.”
The department thanked ABSA for the donation and called on other private-sector partners to support schools through the Rhandza Xikolo Xa Wena campaign.
INSIDE EDUCATION
