BY LINDELWA MYENI
MBABANE– ONE hundred pairs of school shoes worth E20 000 have been donated to three primary schools in Edwaleni to benefit needy learners ahead of the reopening of schools.
The donation, made by Canal View Restaurant in partnership with Emphini Royal Kraal Prince Bhekokwakhe Dlamini, will benefit learners from Emphini Primary School, Emtfonjeni Primary School and Damaseko Primary School.
Representatives from the three schools collected the shoes during the handover ceremony, with the 100 pairs set to be distributed among needy learners at the respective schools.
The co-owner of Canal View Restaurant said the donation marked the second shoe drive undertaken by the business as part of its commitment to giving back to the community.
“This is the second shoe drive that we have done, and it cost us E20 000. Giving back to the community is part of our mission,” she said.
She said the initiative was also motivated by the impact that walking to school barefoot can have on learners’ confidence and concentration.
“We believe that walking to school barefoot can demotivate children. We want to contribute towards boosting their confidence and helping them concentrate on their education,” she said.
Prince Bhekokwakhe said the initiative was inspired by seeing children walking barefoot to school, particularly during the cold winter season.
“Winter is a tough season for homes in rural areas and needy homes. I felt hurt when I saw children walking barefoot to school, and that is when I tried reaching out to the owner of Canal View Restaurant,” he said.
The Prince said the restaurant owner was moved by the situation because he had also experienced walking barefoot while growing up.
“He told me that he also grew up walking barefoot, so he was moved by the situation. He then asked what we could do about it, and I said if we could get at least five pairs of school shoes, or any number he could afford, it would help,” said Prince Bhekokwakhe.
He said the response eventually resulted in 100 pairs being secured for the three schools. He added that the restaurant owner had previously undertaken a similar initiative through a foundation in South Africa and was now extending the work to Eswatini.
Since schools are currently closed, Prince Bhekokwakhe said they would visit the schools once they reopen to confirm that the shoes had reached the intended beneficiaries.
He congratulated the learners who will receive the shoes and wished them a brighter future.
“I am happy that they will now have school shoes like other children. We congratulate those who will receive them and wish them a brighter future,” he said.
The donation is expected to provide relief to families in need while helping learners return to school with greater confidence, comfort and dignity.
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