The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong has handed over 440 school shoes to pupils in about nine schools in the Greater Taung and Mamusa Local municipalities in the North-West province.
Morolong returned to the schools after his January state of readiness visit for the school reopening for the 2026 academic year in the province.
During the school shoes handover ceremony which was held in Schweizer-Reneke, Morolong said that he realised that some of the learners were without proper school shoes while others went to school barefoot.
“I was reminded that the struggle for dignity in education remains incomplete.
Yes, we now live in a democratic South Africa.
Our children no longer face the cruelty of an apartheid education system, because our constitution guarantees dignity and opportunity for all but the reality we face in many communities still weighs heavily,” said the Deputy Minister.
Furthermore, Morolong said that the gesture is part of his endeavours to contribute to a supportive learning and teaching environment that restores the dignity of underprivileged learners.
“Today, 440 learners received new school shoes, a small thing to some but if you remember Tebogo’s story you would know that shoes are more than just leaders and laces, they are dignity, warmth on a cold morning.
The confidence to walk through the gate without a shame, a reminder that a child matters.
To learners, wear them with pride, walk into a classroom knowing your future is bigger than the street you walk today, let the shoes carry you to the places where your parents only dream of,” explained Morolong.
He urged the communities to look after the school infrastructure, saying he was astonished to learn during his schools visits in January that Ipelegeng Secondary School was being plundered by thieves making way with half of the school furniture during the festive period and school recess.
“Let us protect our schools, let us remind our communities that education is not only the responsibility of government and teachers alone, but our responsibility as a collective to defend and protect our properties.
If we protect our schools, if we guide our children, if we rebuild the sense of community, then the next generation of leaders will rise from the very streets, without a doubt one of the children receiving the shoes today, will one day stand here as a leader, a teacher, a doctor and or a scientist,” stressed Morolong.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister has also paid homage to two renowned former school principals who retired at the end of last year.
“Today, we have invited these two distinguish gentlemen to join us so that we may formally express our sincere appreciation for their lifelong dedication to the noble cause of education.
Mr. Moabi and Mr. Mofokeng, you have committed your entire lives to shaping young minds, building strong communities and laying a foundation for a future filled with hope, dignity and opportunity.
The impact of your work goes far beyond the walls of the class it lives on in the lives of the many learners you have guided, mentored and inspired over the years,” concluded Morolong to a rousing applause and standing ovation.
