Santa Shoebox project brought joy to over 70 000 South African children this year

A toothbrush can be a luxury. A pair of shoes, an impossible dream. New clothes, unimaginable.

This is the reality for millions of South African children, until 76,565 of them opened Santa Shoeboxes this year and discovered that strangers cared enough to choose gifts specifically for them. This year’s total marks an increase of more than 1,800 from 2024’s reach, bringing the Santa Shoebox Project's 19-year impact to 1,378,073 children.

“Most of the children were excited about the toothpaste and toothbrush, and then the 'Christmas clothes’,” said Laurence Ngomezulu from Umusa Uyasilandela Crèche in KwaZulu-Natal. 

In his community, where employment is scarce, he observed one boy from a destitute family dropping everything and beaming at the sight of a brand new green striped outfit - his first-ever new clothes.

In Bonnievale, Western Cape, Rosie Baardjies of Promised Land Early Childhood Development Centre witnessed a similar mix of excitement and relief. “The little girls were excited about hair accessories and the boys about the toy cars, but for the parents, the gratitude was different. One mother was especially grateful for the takkies - her three-year-old didn't have any shoes at all.”

For children accustomed to sharing everything or using second-hand items, the personalised nature of the Santa Shoebox was also a special gesture. 

Nkateko Emily Mabasa from Phoenix Alexandra said she was moved by the children's reaction to seeing their own names. “One boy came to me afterwards and said, 'I appreciate that the box had my name on it and it was all mine. I didn't have to share.’”

She adds that the inclusion of stationery changes the children's outlook for the coming school year: "They are saying, 'Now I've got my own stationery for next year, and I'm not going to have to ask anyone to borrow’.”

For parents facing the economic pressure of "Janu-worry”, these gifts provide a crucial safety net. Primrose, a mother whose child is a beneficiary, describes the impact on her family: "The box helped me a lot, especially the school stationery. With high festive season costs, January finances are always a challenge. It was a relief to know that someone else cared enough to give my child a reason to smile.”

In addition, the Santa Shoebox Project Legacy initiative has also built seven pre-schools, trained 2,175 teachers, and installed 223 reading corners to date. The Santa Shoebox Project's vision for 2026 is to reach 80,000 children.

To support the project, visit: https://santashoebox.org.za/

Cape Times