Brand new shoes for primary school pupils

A group of caring women handed over brand-new school shoes and sanitary towels to 22 pupils from Samuel Ntlebi Primary School.

The black school shoes that were distributed were donated by a company called The Little Slipper in Port Elizabeth. The shoes were given to Nopinki Kukisa from the Department of Social Development by the company to help school children in need. Kukisi is a former student of Samuel Ntlebi and she wanted to give back to her school and her community.

She is currently studying social work. Assisted by school principal Dumakazi Myemane, a teacher and committee member, Thabsie Kepe and Nosipho Madyo, a Learner Support Agent, this was made possible. Kholiwe Zani and Melikhaya Booi, parents of children attending the school, were also present when the shoes and sanitary towels were handed out.

Kukisa is also involved in a programme where sanitary pads are distributed to needy school girls all around the Grahamstown district. Kukisa said she decided to combine the two programmes and hand over shoes and sanitary pads to those at schools who are in need. “This programme has also been brought to many schools throughout Grahamstown and works regularly with many schools. It has aided many of them,” she said.

Nine children received brand-new school shoes and 13 girls were given sanitary pads.

Meanwhile an excited Myemane had more positive news to share about one of the school pupils who had done well in a mathematics competition. Alizwa Sofisa, a Grade 7 learner, won a district maths competition. Alizwa competed with other leaners from the Grahamstown district. After winning the competition she went on to compete in the Provincial Maths Quiz Competition in East London. Her parents, principal and teachers are very proud of her.

• Aaron Adriaan is a Grade 11 pupil at St Andrew’s College who covered this event as part of the job-shadowing requirement for the life orientation syllabus.