TRANSNET, through the Shoes on Feet voluntary employee giving campaign, has donated over 5,000 pairs of shoes to learners in a number of disadvantaged communities across South Africa, as the 2025 school year started.
The donations are a culmination of Transnet Foundation’s campaign between October 2024 and December 2024 for employees from all Transnet’s operating divisions to donate school shoes. The Shoes on Feet campaign showcases Transnet’s ongoing efforts to drive positive social change and invest in the well-being of South African communities.
On Friday last week, Transnet brought the campaign to Gqeberha where it distributed 600 pairs of school shoes to learners drawn from John Masiza Primary School in Walmer Township in Gqeberha, Caritas Primary School in Kariega and Dietrich Primary School at Schauderville in Gqeberha. Learners and educators expressed their gratitude for the generous donation, which aims to foster pride, dignity, and a positive learning environment.
Speaking during the handover event at John Masiza Primary School, Transnet group chief executive, Michelle Phillips emphasised Transnet’s commitment to community upliftment. “This campaign is very close to my heart because I was once in a situation where I also didn’t know where the school shoes or uniform was going to come from, and I know the stigma that comes with that. Through this campaign we seek to enable the young ones to come to school every day and inspire them to dream big,” she said.
Similar handovers are planned in various communities throughout the country, where a total of 5,136 pairs of school shoes will be distributed.
The state-owned logistics company thanked corporate partners, Kumba Iron Ore, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Bidvest, WABTec SA and Luzuko BP for collectively donating 2,600 pairs of shoes to Transnet’s campaign.
Transnet’s community development agenda is underpinned by a commitment to bring about sustained and meaningful change by addressing social challenges in communities. The Shoes- on-feet campaign is an example of Transnet’s impactful response to the pressing needs of communities.
