A recent study by the University of Cape Town highlighted the plight of many schoolchildren who have to endure long walks to school, often without any footwear.

For nearly 10-million learners, the cost of transportation and their parents' inability to afford school shoes leaves them with no choice but to walk barefoot to school, regardless of the weather conditions.

Helen Barrett, national advertising and promotions manager at The SPAR Group, says, "Walking to school without proper shoes can have consequences for children, particularly during the harsh winter months. The lack of protection from the elements and rough terrain not only hinders their attendance but can also lead to injuries, resulting in more missed learning days."

Recognising the urgent need to address this issue, The SPAR Group, which has been offering affordable Bata School Shoes through in-store promotions for three years now, commenced a donation drive this Mandela month, donating a total of 125 000 pairs of school shoes valued at approximately R10-million, to schools and charities across South Africa.

Beneficiaries of this drive include: 
  • The Leva Foundation
  • Uviwe Child and Youth Services
  • Community Chest and Khayalethu Youth Care Centre in the Eastern Cape

Twenty schools received Bata shoe donations, including:
  • Aerebokeng School
  • Pretoria School for Mentally-Challenged Children
  • Sedikwisanee Primary School Bogom
  • New Jerusalem Children’s Home near Tshwane
  • Molenrivier Primary School
  • Voorwaarts Primary School
  • Panorama Primary School, and
  • Goedgegun Primêr in the Western Cape

Numerous schools and charity organisations in the Lowveld, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng areas also received Bata show donations. 

Each pair of shoes donated for school starters are in the following sizes:
  • size 10
  • size 11
  • size 12
  • size 1, and
  • size 2.

The shoes were produced in the Bata School Shoes factory in Cato Ridge, Durban, and with durable tread to withstand long walks and hours of play.

"Our partnership with Bata began in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic affected production at the factory," says Barrett. "Despite the challenges, the factory's dedicated workforce persevered and also protected the facility during the July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal, enabling the business to keep going and the continued distribution of school shoes to more than  two million South African scholars." 

Barrett adds, "At SPAR, we believe in the power of education and its transformative potential. Education is of vital importance to future generations and to the future economic growth of our country."

"School shoes contribute to a learner's dignity and self-esteem, and because they complete a school uniform, they contribute to their sense of confidence. We are just so privileged to be in a position to help where we can and we won't stop here," concludes Barrett.

For more information, visit www.thespargroup.com. You can also follow The SPAR Group on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.