For more than 200 children at some poor schools in East London, wearing worn-out shoes is now a thing of the past.
This is because last year’s Daily Dispatch local hero nominee Nkosinathi Sikobi continues to restore the dignity of impoverished children through simple acts such as providing proper shoes.
Sikobi brought smiles to faces of children from Nompumelelo, Makinana, Nontuthuzelo, Lujiza and Masakhe primary schools – all in Duncan Village – recently by donating 51 pairs of much-needed school shoes to the children.
The Duncan Village-born Sikobi, 44, continues to change children’s lives one step at a time through his non-profit organisation, Sakhosizwe.
“The motive behind this initiative is to uplift the confidence of the pupils. Most of the pupils’ families depend on social grants and the money does not cover some of their necessities. So we want to restore their confidence.”
When Sikobi donated the shoes at Makinana, excitement was written on the faces of pupils and teachers alike. Teacher Fundiswa Ntikinca thanked Sikobi for his initiative and told the Dispatch that “the school will certainly receive higher marks” as pupils would be more motivated to attend school.
“After this, it will boost their confidence. We, alongside the school governing body, have also tried to help some of the pupils but this will make life easier. We as the school feel great and am sure their parents will be happy as well,” she said.
Ntikinca said the teachers had a tough time dealing with cases of pupils mocking those with worn-out school shoes.
Grade 1 pupils Migcobo Mnyamana and Sinelitha Maliwa, aged seven, who both aspire to be pilots, said they could not wait to show their parents their new school shoes.
“I feel happy. I can now play football during break,” said a jolly Migcobo.
Sikobi, who has donated over 600 pairs of school shoes since 2013, said he would donate more shoes next year. —mandilakhek@dispatch.co.za..