Of the roughly 17 million school children in South Africa, more than 10 million walk to school every day. Around 7 million of them have never owned a pair of school shoes. For these learners – many of them in rural communities, travelling kilometres on dusty, uneven roads – a school shoe is not just a practical item. It is a symbol of dignity.
This Youth Month, Liberty Group South Africa is putting that idea into action through its Feet of Strength initiative, which has already helped provide more than 100 000 pairs of school shoes to children in need. The campaign continues to grow, with a new public-facing activation bringing the cause to one of Johannesburg’s most visited shopping destinations.
Walk a kilometre, give a pair
On 26 and 27 June, Liberty is inviting shoppers at Sandton City to take part in a simple but meaningful challenge. Four specially marked plinths inside the mall map out a one-kilometre walking route. For every kilometre completed, Liberty will donate a pair of school shoes to a child in need.
The campaign was brought to life through a collaboration between Liberty and its creative partners, including Happy Friday Group, Retroviral, Lucky Hustle, and Run Jump Fly. The concept behind the initiative draws on a striking visual observation: the cracked, weathered texture of rural roads closely mirrors the soles of children’s feet damaged by years of walking long distances without proper footwear.
More than a moment
While the Sandton City activation offers the public a direct, tangible way to contribute, the team behind the campaign hopes it sparks a wider shift in how people think about giving. The message is clear: you do not need to wait until the time feels right or the amount feels significant. Something as small as a single pair of school shoes can restore a child’s dignity, support their ability to learn, and change the direction of their future.
The need remains significant, particularly in rural areas where access to basic resources is limited and the daily commute to school is far from simple. Liberty’s campaign makes the case that collective, consistent action – however small – is what moves the needle.
How to get involved
Head to Sandton City on 26 or 27 June, find the marked plinths, and walk the kilometre. That’s it. Every step counts.
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Featured Image: Pexels
