Walter Sisulu learners walk tall thanks to Sizwe Africa IT initiative
Young learners at Walter Sisulu Primary School were left beaming with joy this month, as they received much-needed shoes through a heartfelt initiative celebrating Nelson Mandela Month.
In a heartwarming initiative that has brightened the spirits of many young learners, Walter Sisulu Primary School celebrated Nelson Mandela Month with a generous donation of school shoes.
The initiative, pioneered by Lerato Ndlovu of Sizwe Africa IT Group, underscored the importance of dignity, responsibility, and self-care among the country's youth.
Ndlovu, discussing the shoeshine initiative with Saturday Star, shared insights into the programme's goals and impact.
Ndlovu explains that typically, the initiative involved providing shoes alongside brushes and polish to encourage students to learn about maintaining their footwear.
'So what informed the initiative? As Sizwe, we have been donating school shoes to our adopted schools. And what we'd usually do is buy polish and brushes when we are donating. If it is 100 pairs, we would do 100 brushes and polish,' she explained.
'For the first time, I have always wanted to do this because I would see that when the school shoes are not well cared for, they need a little bit more polish, after which they would last longer.'
For Ndlovu, the initiative reaches beyond simply distributing shoes. 'It is about responsibility. It is about teaching the responsibility to take care of what we have. It is a dignity thing,' she remarked, reflecting on the joy visible in the children's faces after they shine their shoes.
'It is amazing what you see after they polish the school shoes. Someone walks differently. There is always so much pride after they clean their shoes and they are walking back to class.'
This year's event marks the second consecutive year that Sizwe Africa IT Group has executed this initiative at Walter Sisulu Primary School, a school that provides education without charging fees, thereby enabling access for families facing financial challenges.
'The school has its own challenges, so we are bridging a gap. Some kids come to school there, and they don't have shoes, just home shoes. It is more than just brush polish; it is the joy in their faces. It is that proud moment of looking at me; I am clean.'
Reflecting on the future, Ndlovu expressed her hopes for a greater movement aimed at nourishing pride among students. 'I would like to invite other companies, organisations, and individuals to join us and also start their own initiatives. For me, let's make it a movement; let's make our learners love their school uniform as well and be proud to be learners.'
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star
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Walter Sisulu learners walk tall thanks to Sizwe Africa IT initiative
Young learners at Walter Sisulu Primary School were left beaming with joy this month, as they received much-needed shoes through a heartfelt initiative celebrating Nelson Mandela Month. Young learners at Walter Sisulu Primary School were left beaming with joy this month, as they received much-needed shoes through a heartfelt initiative celebrating Nelson Mandela Month. In a heartwarming initiative that has brightened the spirits of many young learners, Walter Sisulu Primary School celebrated Nelson Mandela Month with a generous donation of school shoes. The initiative, pioneered by Lerato Ndlovu of Sizwe Africa IT Group, underscored the importance of dignity, responsibility, and self-care among the country's youth. Ndlovu, discussing the shoeshine initiative with Saturday Star, shared insights into the programme's goals and impact. Ndlovu explains that typically, the initiative involved providing shoes alongside brushes and polish to encourage students to learn about maintaining their footwear. 'So what informed the initiative? As Sizwe, we have been donating school shoes to our adopted schools. And what we'd usually do is buy polish and brushes when we are donating. If it is 100 pairs, we would do 100 brushes and polish,' she explained. 'For the first time, I have always wanted to do this because I would see that when the school shoes are not well cared for, they need a little bit more polish, after which they would last longer.' For Ndlovu, the initiative reaches beyond simply distributing shoes. 'It is about responsibility. It is about teaching the responsibility to take care of what we have. It is a dignity thing,' she remarked, reflecting on the joy visible in the children's faces after they shine their shoes. 'It is amazing what you see after they polish the school shoes. Someone walks differently. There is always so much pride after they clean their shoes and they are walking back to class.' This year's event marks the second consecutive year that Sizwe Africa IT Group has executed this initiative at Walter Sisulu Primary School, a school that provides education without charging fees, thereby enabling access for families facing financial challenges. 'The school has its own challenges, so we are bridging a gap. Some kids come to school there, and they don't have shoes, just home shoes. It is more than just brush polish; it is the joy in their faces. It is that proud moment of looking at me; I am clean.' Reflecting on the future, Ndlovu expressed her hopes for a greater movement aimed at nourishing pride among students. 'I would like to invite other companies, organisations, and individuals to join us and also start their own initiatives. For me, let's make it a movement; let's make our learners love their school uniform as well and be proud to be learners.' [email protected] Saturday Star
