Shoe donation to restore pupils’ dignity in Ladysmith
|Published
Durban — Mthombeni Foundation in partnership with NTT Motor Group donated shoes to underprivileged pupils at Mabhumane Primary School in Saint Chad, Ladysmith, on Tuesday.
The donors handed over 179 pairs of school shoes in celebration of Mandela Day. Mthombeni founder Mzweleni “Mzee” Duma said the initiative was a success and that everybody was happy, including the School Governing Body (SGB).
He said the SGB could not believe what they did for the pupils.
He explained that the purpose was to teach learners about the importance of education, to give them support and to show them love, because they know how it feels to go to school with torn school shoes.
“Having school shoes brings back the dignity of the pupil and it would have a positive impact on their results. They will walk with confidence,” Mthombeni said.
Mthombeni is no stranger to poverty. Growing up in Ladysmith, Mthombeni said his parents were both unemployed and growing up was not easy, and he knows how it feels to sleep on an empty stomach and to have nothing.
“Sometimes we survived with the food we got from our neighbours. It was very tough, so I decided then that one day I would start an organisation to help others.
“Growing up in a very poor background taught me so many things. That’s why it’s vital to help other people from needy families, because I’ve been there.”
Duma said one of the Mthombeni Foundation’s biggest accomplishments to date was delivering 200 sanitary pads and 200 food packages to Saint Chad’s High School, his former school.
He also said they were very proud of their work as the Mthombeni Foundation team.
He said he was grateful to their sponsor, NTT Motor Group, and attributed the success to their collaboration.
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