The 2026 Hopeful Soles handover benefited 52 schools and children's homes across Gauteng, marking a growth in both reach and impact compared to 2025. The beneficiaries included 33 children's homes in Tembisa, 9 schools in Soweto, and 10 schools in Mamelodi, supporting orphans and vulnerable learners as they prepared for the start of the academic year, says the foundation.

The initiative was funded through the Shimuzic Foundation, with additional proceeds raised from Shimza's annual One Man Show held on Christmas Day, an event that continues to merge music, culture and social impact, adds the foundation.

Commenting on the initiative, Shimza, CEO of the Shimuzic Foundation, says, "Hopeful Soles is about more than just school shoes. It's about restoring dignity and giving children the confidence to walk into their classrooms feeling equal and prepared. Every year we try to do more, because the need is growing, and so is our responsibility to respond."

Now firmly established as an annual initiative, the Hopeful Soles school shoe drive has expanded year on year, reaching more communities and reinforcing Shimza's long term commitment to meaningful, practical support for children in need, particularly in and around his hometown of Tembisa, says the foundation.

By channelling proceeds from his music career into grassroots initiatives, Shimza continues to use his platform to create lasting change. As learners returned to school, thousands did so wearing Hopeful Soles, a tangible reminder that community driven efforts can make a real difference, concludes the foundation.

You can follow the Shimuzic Foundation on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor