As the winter cold continues to bite, Engen and Ackermans have joined hands to support 600 primary school learners in need across the country with brand-new school shoes.

Launched on Mandela Day on 18 July, the Back-to-School campaign visited 12 schools in total, including Witbank learners at Khonzimfundo and Jeremiah Mdaka Primary Schools, where 100 pairs of school shoes were handed out to learners.

The campaign then moved to Mokopane in Limpopo on 19 July stopping off at Baseloane and Byldrift Primary Schools before moving to the Steelport area on 20 July where the campaign visited Masha and Madlete Primary Schools.

Reaching Chuma and Sivuyiseni Primary Schoosl in Khayelitsha, Cape Town on 24 July, the campaign then moved onto Rustenburg’s Tsitsing and Khibitiswane Primary Schools on 26 July.

Reaching the final destination on 27 July, the campaign wrapped up in Kleksdorp, visiting Tigane and Bakang Primary Schools.

“For Engen, education is one of the company’s key social investment focus areas, so we are humbled to again join hands with Ackerman’s and support this year’ Back-to-Shoe initiative,” comments Dr James Xolani Nyawera, Engen’s head of Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement.

“As a caring and inclusive company with ‘heart’, Engen is firmly committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which endeavour to ensure a better and more sustainable future for all.

Engen has a proud record of social investment and cares deeply about the communities in which it operates, continues Nyawera.

“We believe that education is a key enabler to transform lives, which is why we are so passionate about this initiative because it will help uplift and empower young learners.

“By supporting these young learners, we will ensure that their dignity is retained and that they never have to miss school as result of not having school a pair of school shoes.”