Local Shopping Mall Steps Up to Give 250 Chesterville Pupils New Shoes, Boosting School Attendance and Confidence

The children of Christopher Nxumalo Primary School and Ukukhanya Kwelanga Public Primary will now attend school without having any worries or fear of getting teased for not having or wearing worn-out shoes.

Now the academic hopes of 250 children from both school has taken a step in the right direction, having been gifted shoes that will enable them to attend school.

The gesture of goodness came from the Pavillion Shopping Centre, this after a local ward councillor approached a team from the commercial entity to assist the children from the nearby schools, who were in desperate need of shoes.

Chesterville ward councillor, Mtha Makhathini, said that he began this project of helping children a while ago and it delights him that the shopping mall has honoured the commitment they made to help underprivileged children.

“When I took the office four years ago, I made a commitment that we would assist primary schools with shoes."

Makhathini also encouraged other local businesses to support needy children in the area by donating school bags, stationery and other essential supplies, as well as shoes.

Philile Khasa, principal of Christopher Nxumalo Primary School, expressed her gratitude to the councillor and the Pavillion Shopping Mall for the donation.

“We really appreciate the contribution from the donors. Their kindness will go a long way,” said Khasa.

She said that the school serves learners from diverse families and financial backgrounds and described the donation as a motivation to encourage school attendance.

“We have children from different family and financial backgrounds. Sometimes learners get teased for not having shoes, and at times they do not attend school because their shoes are worn out, so this provides great motivation to encourage them to come to school,” she said.

Zakhona Nhlabathi, principal of Ukukhanya Kwelanga Public Primary School, also expressed appreciation for the donation.

“There are families in Chesterville who are very needy. We are hugely grateful to be able to help some of them in this way,” she said.

The Pavilion Shopping Centre’s Marketing Manager, Julie-Anne Zuma, said they understood that charity begins at home, and for them this means the community of Chesterville, which is right on their doorstep.

“When the proactive community leader of Ward 24 Councillor Mtha Makhathini, approached us asking for help with new shoes for the learners from two neighbouring schools, we were delighted to be able to assist.” 

Zuma noted how easy it was to take for granted everyday items that play a vital role in the lives of some people.

DAILY NEWS