Learners in Madimbo village will receive more than 100 pairs of school shoes early next month, after police and a private company stepped in to support schools affected by recent floods. The shoes were handed over to Limpopo police by Old Mutual during a ceremony at the provincial head office in Polokwane last week.
The shoes will be distributed to identified schools in the Vhembe District in April. The intervention comes as some schools and families continue to recover from flood damage that disrupted schooling and left learners without basic items.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the donation would help but would not cover the full need. “They are not enough, but it is better. Previously, we handed over [shoes] in Mbaula village with assistance from Old Mutual, and they are doing their best,” he said.
The donation forms part of ongoing efforts by police and private partners to support vulnerable communities, particularly where disasters have affected children’s access to education.
Old Mutual PMB chairperson Lintle Sekhosana said the initiative aims to help learners return to school with dignity. “This is more than just a donation. It is about restoring dignity, rebuilding confidence and helping children return to school with a sense of belonging,” she said.
Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection Major General Venitia Masingi said items such as school shoes play an important role in a learner’s sense of identity and readiness for school. “A school uniform is not merely fabric and stitching. It affirms that every child belongs, is valued, and that their education matters,” she said.