Bata South Africa closes office in support of Mandela Day initiatives

Bata South Africa kick started their Mandela Day 2018 campaign with the assistance of Robben Island. Together they took 25 learners from schools in the Grabouw, Hermanus and Gaansbaai district in the Western Cape on a field trip to the iconic Robben Island in Table Bay on Thursday, 21st June 2018. The children were accompanied by David Hamilton, a representative from Bata on the half hour ferry trip from Table Bay Harbour to the island. Once on Robben Island, they were given an extensive tour of the World Heritage site by a former inmate. The tour included a visit to the cell of the late Nelson Mandela, where he spent 18 years as a political prisoner. As an added incentive, all learners that attended the educational received a pair of Toughees school shoes.

This year Bata South Africa, through the Bata Children’s Program (BCP) will commemorate Mandela Day through the distribution of 10 000 pairs of Toughees school shoes to worthy children’s schools and organisations. Bata Children’s Program focuses on bringing all Bata community initiatives focused on helping disadvantaged children under one umbrella, allowing for greater cohesion and impact. All staff from offices across the country will be contributing to the company’s initiative.

“Bata fosters a unique corporate culture of service where employees are encouraged to play an active role,” says Swastika Juggernath, Bata South Africa Marketing Manager. “With this in mind, staff were offered the opportunity to nominate 100 worthy children’s organisations that are in desperate need of school shoes,” added Juggernath. “These organisations will each receive 100 pairs of South Africa’s most loved school shoe brand – Toughees. That’s 10 000 pairs of school shoes which means 10 000 children will walk tall with the added confidence they need to achieve their dreams!”

Schools nationwide were nominated and will receive Toughees shoes on Mandela Day. On the 18th July, Bata will close their offices for the day and staff members will distribute the shoes to local schools across the country. Along with the 100 pairs of Toughees, each book will receive a book entitled The Children’s Madiba – The Life Story of Nelson Mandela by Sean Fraser. This book tells the story about how Mandela became a hero for all in South Africa and the world over.

“One of the key development areas that BCP seeks to make a difference in is education which was one of Mandela’s passions. Education is the basis on which development is founded and Bata Children’s Program strives to improve access to basic education,” says Juggernath. “This can be done through activities ranging from school shoe donations so children meet their uniform requirements to volunteers refurbishing school buildings to ensure a safe and secure learning environment,” added Juggernath.

Through their Mandela Day initiative, Bata Children’s Program looks to take action and inspire change in a sustainable way that will bring about enduring change.

List of a few schools who received Toughees school shoes listed below: