- Transnet donated 50 pairs of new school shoes to learners at Lwazi Primary School in Gugulethu as part of their Mandela Month celebrations.
- The school principal, Maxwell Mdini, praised Transnet for their generosity, saying the shoes will boost the learners’ confidence and improve their academic performance, especially for those from disadvantaged communities.
- A parent, Ntombizodidi Nqata, expressed gratitude for the donation, saying it will make a significant difference for her child, as she struggles to provide for them due to unemployment.
Excitement was evident on the faces of learners at Lwazi Primary School in Gugulethu when they received new school shoes from Transnet on Wednesday 31 July.
At least 50 shoes were donated by the state entity.
School principal Maxwell Mdini praised Transnet for demonstrating Ubuntu.
He said the shoes meant a lot to the children and their parents. “Some of the learners came to school with broken shoes or sneakers. I did not care because I wanted them to come to school,” said Mdini.
According to him, most learners come from disadvantaged communities.
Mdini believes the shoes will boost the learners’ confidence and improve their academic performance.
Awelani Radzilani, a Transnet Engineering Executive Manager, described the initiative as part of Mandela Month celebrations.
“As Transnet, even if our offices are not here, but we are part of the community. This event is part of social development,” he said, adding that the new shoes will boost the learners’ self-esteem.
Parent Ntombizodidi Nqata from Barcelona informal settlement praised Transnet.
She said the shoes will make a difference as she struggled to buy them for her child. “I’m unemployed. I survive through my children’s grant. I’m happy now that my child has new shoes,” she said.
Nqata also praised the school principal for demonstrating humanity by welcoming their children even though they were without uniform.
