This Youth Month, Liberty Group South Africa is shining a spotlight on an often-overlooked challenge facing millions of learners: the lack of proper school shoes. While education remains a pathway to opportunity, many children across the country still walk long distances to school without suitable footwear.
According to estimates, more than 10 million South African learners walk to school every day, while around 7 million children have never owned a pair of school shoes.
Also see: South African schools struggle with maths, science teachers shortage
For many, a school shoe represents far more than practicality. It is a symbol of dignity, confidence, and belonging.
Stakeholders who are working alongside Liberty to restore the dignity of learners include Retroviral, Happy Friday Group, Lucky Hustle, and Run Jump Fly.
A milestone of impact
Liberty has already helped provide more than 100,000 pairs of school shoes to children in need, transforming the daily school journey for thousands of learners.
Yet the need remains significant, particularly in rural communities where children often travel kilometres on dusty and uneven roads to access education.
Step up at Sandton City
On 26 and 27 June, Liberty is inviting the public to take part in a simple but meaningful initiative at Sandton City. Four specially marked plinths will represent a one-kilometre walking distance inside the mall. For every kilometre completed, Liberty will donate a pair of school shoes to a child in need.
Also see: WCED urges parents to confirm 2027 school placements
Jonathan Wolberg, Executive Creative Director of Happy Friday Group, explains, “The idea began with a simple observation: the cracked textures of rural landscapes closely resemble the soles of school kids’ feet damaged by long walks without shoes.
He further highlighted the importance of walking in someone’s shoes in order to truly understand them, stating that the initiative is an easy way of getting South Africa to do exactly that.
Every step makes a difference
This initiative encourages shoppers to turn their steps into action, helping more learners walk to school with comfort, confidence and dignity.
Beyond walking in Sandton City, Wolberg encourages ordinary South Africans to start small, as well as to do what they can where they are.
“It starts with changing the way we think about giving. You don’t have to wait until you have more money or more time. Something as simple as a pair of school shoes can restore dignity, support learning and change the course of a child’s future,” he explained.
Also see: Thando Thabethe gives back at Phefeni Secondary School in Soweto
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