Deputy mayor hands over school shoes

Mitchell's Plain pupils were inspired to take their marks, get set and go for their goals when deputy mayor Eddie Andrews made a donation of school shoes last week.

Mr Andrews delivered 1 373 pairs of school shoes to 20 Mitchell's Plain organisations, educares, primary and high schools at Westridge civic centre on Thursday May 15.

He is close to reaching his goal to give 42 200 pairs of school shoes to pupils in his Soles for Souls campaign, since completing the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on October 20 last year.

Mr Andrews, former Portland resident and former Springbok rugby player, reflected on growing up in Mitchell's Plain and the work he had to put in to reach his goals. 

Everyday Tuesday and Thursday he would get to the office at 5.30am and go for a run as part of his training; starting with 10km and building up mileage to be fit for the marathon; arriving back at the office by 8am.

Mr Andrews thought back to his youth. 

"Thirty years ago I was running at Hazeldene sports field. I had just matriculated. I was running in a pair of jeans that I cut. My parents did not have money for a shorts."

"I had aspirations then to play professional sport and rugby was my code," he said. 

"On the 12th of June 2004 in Bloemfontein there was a boytjie from the Cape Flats (lining up for the Springboks).

"I stood there and we were singing the anthem I was crying. 

"It was at that moment that I realised regardless of your circumstances you can achieve success," said Mr Andrews. 

He implored the pupils to continue being positive even though circumstances may dictate a different message.

"Make a positive decision and take a positive step forward towards success in life," he said.

Last week he was flanked by ward councillors and his staff to make the biggest drop-off of school shoes in his campaign so far.

Jamiacaweg Primary School principal Mathilda Marsh speaking on behalf of the recipients said it was a gift of love and a step in helping pupils achieve success. 

"When you run for something, you definitely have a goal. When you have that goal it links with your faith, mindset and today I want to say this pair of shoes is going to create a goal in someone's life," she said. 

"It is going to make them aware that someone is taking care of us," she said. 

Ms Marsh said the pupils would appreciate the shoes because they are always running.

"They run to me or to somewhere. This morning I had a boy in my office. He has behavioural problems. I spoke to his parents that you need to love this child. You need to take care of this child. Giving them a pair of shoes is a form of giving them love," she said. 

Ashley Potts, councillor for Ward 81, encouraged principals to continue to help pupils maintain their self-respect.

"If they do not have self respect they will not be able to make it in this world," he said.

"It is not just about giving a pair of shoes. It is an expression of hope also sharing a message of love. when you give them a pair of shoes either out loud, in your heart, in your mind or in your speech just communicate a message of God's love upon that child," he said. 

Mr Potts also encouraged parents to continue to share God's love when gifting the shoes.

"Continue to exercise the discipline in your home," he said. 

 The hand over was sponsored by Gary Heller and Transorga Holding. 

The campaign has partnered with Santa Shoebox, an organisation renowned for its exceptional delivery.

They are committed to reach pupils in Cape Town’s most under-resourced areas, including those in the Mayoral Urban Regeneration Programme (MURP).

To help Mr Andrews reach the 42 200 pairs of schools shoes goal visit www.givengain.com/donate/cc/29286?event=4243#amount.