Rockdale — Bread making company Blue Ribbon, in partnership with the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, donated 100 pairs of school shoes to learners at KhulaNolwazi Primary School on 18 February 2026 to support disadvantaged learners and boost their confidence at school.
The initiative is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to give back to communities that support its products.
“We know that there are children whose parents cannot afford to buy uniforms, and it becomes difficult for that child to go to school because they feel left out and also become victims of bullying,” said Blue Ribbon representative Queen Ntuli. “The aim of this initiative is to give back to the community that supports the company by buying bread every day of their lives.”
Ntuli said teachers assisted in identifying the beneficiaries. KhulaNolwazi Primary was chosen because it has many learners without proper uniforms. “This initiative [runs] yearly,” she said.
Deputy Principal Dudu Mngomane welcomed the support, saying the donation comes at a critical time for many learners as winter is approaching. “Most of our learners are coming from disadvantaged backgrounds and cannot afford school uniforms,” said Mngomane. “It becomes a challenge when a child is struggling mentally because they are being bullied by other learners due to their conditions.”
She said the donation will help restore dignity among affected learners. “This initiative has helped us a lot as a school to uplift those kids and bring back their self-esteem and pride,” she said.
Mngomane expressed hope for continued collaboration. “We would like Blue Ribbon to continue with this initiative at our school to help more learners,” she said, adding that the school has submitted a donation request for laptops.
Municipal Youth Manager Khanyisile Mlangeni said the partnership demonstrates a long-term commitment to youth development. “Partnering with Blue Ribbon is a way to shape projects that impact the daily lives of young people rather than treating them as passive recipients of decisions,” said Mlangeni.
She emphasised the municipality’s role in ensuring private sector support reaches communities. “We work to make sure that what private companies have reaches the community. This is crucial for education because it bridges resource gaps and enhances learning environments, particularly in underserved communities,” she said.
Mlangeni added that the municipality will continue working with stakeholders and confirmed that the next outreach will take place at Maziya Primary School in Hendrina.
She noted that donations of this nature often improve learner engagement and academic performance. “In under-resourced areas, these investments can significantly increase student motivation, and the learners become equal since they look the same,” she said.
