“Giving With a Smile”: Wits and 4 Youth Foundations Donate Shoes to Rural Communities

• The Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment at Wits partnered with four youth-led organisations to deliver school shoes and dignity packs to learners in rural areas
• The initiative targeted schools where learners walk long distances to school without proper footwear
• South African singer Azana was among the leaders behind the drive, with organisations emphasising that this was about creating sustainable change
• Briefly News spoke to Wits Digital Communications representative Ntando Hoza how CAPSI measures whether initiatives like the Isibani Initiative create sustainable change beyond the number of shoes donated

A group of young South Africans got together and decided to make a real difference for rural school learners who were walking long distances to class without proper shoes. The Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment, known as CAPSI, based at the University of the Witwatersrand, teamed up with four organisations for what they called the Isibani Initiative. Those organisations were Isibani sikaNkulunkulu NPC, The Good Cause Foundation, the Makhosazana Foundation and the South African Youth Business Chamber. Together, they reached schools in Mpumalanga on 19 March 2026 and then crossed into Eswatini the following day on 20 March.

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The shoes chosen for the initiative were eco-friendly and water-resistant, designed specifically for learners who walk long distances to school in all weather conditions. Learners also received dignity packs with sanitary products and basic essentials. According to the Adopt-a-School Foundation, a partner entity of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, ten million learners across South Africa walk to school each day, and many do so without proper footwear. Missing school because of worn-out or missing shoes is a real problem, with some learners staying home out of shame or physical injury caused by poor footwear on rough terrain.

Leading the Makhosazana Foundation was South African singer Azana, born Makhosazana Princess Masango, who explained that schools were carefully assessed before the visit to make sure the help went where it was needed most. She said the team gave with smiles and words of affirmation, reminding learners that what starts in the imagination can become reality through hard work. Mthunzi Ndlela of The Good Cause Foundation was clear that the goal was never charity.

"We came to create sustainable change," he said.

Actress and community advocate Luyanda Zwane, founder of Isibani sikaNkulunkulu NPC, added that the partnership with Wits allowed them to reach learners in a more meaningful way than any one organisation could alone.

In Eswatini, Member of Parliament Mduduzi Dlamini of the Nkhomiyahlaba constituency welcomed the initiative, saying families who cannot afford school shoes now had renewed support. He pointed out that arriving at school with dignity is not a small thing, it shapes how a child feels about learning every single day.

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Professor Bheki Moyo of Wits Business School and CAPSI reminded people that giving on the African continent is not simply about charity. It is a social practice rooted in community and shared responsibility, which is exactly what the Isibani Initiative set out to reflect.

Speaking to Briefly News writer Nerissa Naidoo, Wits Digital Communications representative Ntando Hoza explained that CAPSI focuses on impact beyond just the numbers. He said:

"While the distribution of shoes is important, the real focus is on dignity and access. This initiative was designed to respond to real, everyday challenges, like learners walking long distances without proper footwear, which directly affects school attendance and participation. We also consider how the intervention supports confidence, restores dignity, and improves the overall school experience."

"As highlighted in the initiative, sustainability comes from understanding community needs, working with the right partners, and ensuring that the support provided is practical and long-lasting , such as the use of eco-friendly, water-resistant shoes. Ultimately, for us, sustainable change is about whether the intervention makes a meaningful difference in people’s daily lives and can be built on through continued partnerships and community engagement."

Briefly News also asked what youth-led organisations driving the initiative say about the future of giving in Africa. Hoza went on to explain that the initiative shows that the future of giving in Africa is being shaped by young people who understand their communities and are actively creating solutions.

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He elaborated:

"This kind of giving moves beyond charity. It reflects a broader shift towards African philanthropy that is based on shared responsibility, community, and collective action. Young people are bringing energy, innovation, and authenticity into this space, and that is helping to redefine what impact looks like. As CAPSI, we see this as a powerful indication that philanthropy on the continent is becoming more inclusive, more collaborative, and more focused on dignity and long-term change."

More on SA organisations making a difference

• Briefly News recently reported on Nomzamo Mbatha's Lighthouse Foundation raising R1 million to keep 60 children in school.
• Siya Kolisi was spotted visiting Roger Federer's foundation to give back to children's education.
• A Gauteng woman called on South Africans to support a mobile library van bringing free books to children in Soweto, and Mzansi's response in the comments showed exactly how much people care about education.

Source: Briefly News