DEPUTY MAYOR GOES EXTRA MILE

IT WAS all smiles as learners from Steenberg Primary School each received a pair of school shoes and socks thanks to ex-learner, Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews.

The handover took place yesterday in the school hall and forms part of Andrews’ ‘Soles for Souls’ campaign, an initiative dedicated to providing 42 200 pairs of school shoes to children in need across Cape Town. 

In a show of personal commitment, former rugby star ran 42.2 km in the Cape Town Marathon, a symbolic gesture aimed at rallying support for children from vulnerable communities.

The ex-Springbok explains: “It is important to showcase that regardless of where you are or what you are facing everyday, success can come from those communities which are often seen as under-resourced.

"So I am back here to communicate those lessons and motivate the children that I was also where you were and look what I achieved.

“It makes my heart skip a beat to realise that you are able to help somebody. I think that I achieved relative success because people supported me in my journey and today is the opportunity to pay it forward.”

The handover was attended by some parents, learners and teaching staff and a cute dance item was performed by the Grade 1 learners. The need amongst the children was visible as some children wore slippers or takkies. 

Principal Daniel Jansen said that he is thankful to Alderman Andrews for ploughing back into the school.

He adds: “It is so important for the learners to receive the donation because that changes their lives and makes them understand that there are people caring for them.”

“Our learners come from backgrounds where it is very difficult and tough and just to make them understand that there are people who care so moments like these play an important role in their lives that could change their lives for good.”

“When you listen to successful people there are always one person who came into their lives and changed it for the good, so this is very important for our learners.”