LOCAL businesses, SPAR Eastern Cape and dairy processor, Woodlands Dairy, recently joined forces to supply 227 pairs of school shoes to primary school learners in Humansdorp.
The donation forms part of Woodlands Dairy’s annual support to Child Welfare Humansdorp, in support of families who were unable to provide basic needs to their children, orphans and foster parents who struggled to make ends meet.
“At the end of last year, SPAR ran a national loyalty campaign where Bata shoes were available for purchase at R40 a pair.
“The campaign was hugely successful and highlighted the crying need to support people who are unable to afford these very basic needs,” said Alan Stapleton, sponsorship and events manager at SPAR Eastern Cape.
“To be able to partner with suppliers like Woodlands Dairy is special in showing that we, in the retail business, do care about our communities. It is not just about food.”
Carmelia Miles, CSI and marketing coordinator at Woodlands Dairy, said the gift of a pair of school shoes to a child in need was their way of giving children a good start to their new school year.
“We want learners to go to school with pride and confidence and have one less barrier to learning,” she said.
Woodlands Dairy, which is actively involved in community upliftment, also partnered with female-owned shoe manufacturer in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), RV Footwear, to have just over 50% of the shoes handmade at their factory in Korsten.
RV Footwear was established as a female partnership between sisters, Roxane Titus and Vida-Ann Smith in 2013.
The business was a family legacy which stemmed from their father having been a cobbler and working in the footwear industry for over 50 years – from making shoes to training new apprentices.
Titus and Smith have a passion for making quality and durable products.
RV Footwear was the top 24 winner of the Inaugural Boost your Biz 2016, winner of the top 40 winner National Gazelle’s programme and was nominated for the top 50 companies in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.
“The footwear industry has been affected by international imports, causing huge job losses locally, and they strive to make use of local previously disadvantaged individuals and uplifting communities,” said Titus.
“Our guarantee to our clients is to deliver a proudly South African handmade product and we enjoy working with like-minded organisations, such as Woodlands Dairy.”
“By supporting enterprises such as RV Footwear, we wish to be a catalyst for other businesses to support entrepreneurs and do our part in eradicating unemployment, promote gender equality, and reduce inequality,” said Miles.
