Durban — Independent Media marketing and the Daily News donated 67 school shoes to Seatides Combined School on Monday. The donation came in the aftermath of a tornado that hit Tongaat and surrounding areas on June 3 this year.
Independent Media national marketing manager Shabnum Moosa said the school was the hardest hit during the tornado.
“The school is in the area where everyone has lost everything during the tornado. We are pleased to make a meaningful contribution to the school; a lot of the pupils do not have uniforms or school shoes. We are so grateful to Bata Toughees, for their contribution, our partner nationally, which has enabled us to do this.”
Bata Toughees made a national school drive contribution in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Daily News marketing and brand officer, Sinethemba Hlela, said: “As the Daily News, we pride ourselves in being a community-driven newspaper deeply committed to the well-being of our readers. We are grateful for the opportunity to support and uplift our local community, especially in times of need. We have taken another step with Toughees to give back by donating school shoes to children.”
School principal Kola Govender said the school was functioning from a temporary shelter and a makeshift office, including toilets and tuckshop.
Govender said the local government had not assisted them with much, besides the water and electricity connection.
Despite this he remained optimistic: “I am sure our exams will go well and we will overcome the natural disasters. We will complete the year’s curriculum successfully.”
Nkosazana Faith Noluhlazana, in Grade 7, said she was very happy about the Daily News donation.
“A lot of children have lost family members, school uniforms and other belongings during the tornado. It has had a bad impact on our school. The teachers lost all their teaching equipment, and it is very sad to look at our school we have been going to since Grade R in ruins.”
While the tornado had affected their schooling, Noluhlazana was confident of passing the exams which were around the corner, because they had been working hard.
Nath Rajhdav, also in Grade 7, said he appreciated the donation after the damage done to the school by the tornado.
“Although we are in a temporary structure, we are learning a lot. I am sure that in the future our school will be back to its original shape.”
Corporate social investment (CSI) manager and project co-ordinator of Independent Media, Sameera Kareem, said: “Today, our team had the honour of visiting Seatides Combined School, devastated by the tornado. We delivered clothing, groceries, and school shoes, and were truly touched by the warm, resilient spirit of the students and teachers. Despite the immense loss and destruction, their gratitude was a powerful reminder of hope and strength. The students have lost so much, including their work- and textbooks, but their determination to move forward is inspiring. This highlights the incredible capacity of the human spirit to rebuild and persevere. We are grateful to support such a remarkable community.”
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