Ensure 80,000 South African children start school with dignity

LIFESTYLE NEWS - For many South African children, a new school year begins without proper shoes, basic stationery, or even soap.

With more than half of South Africa’s 20.9 million children living in poverty, these daily barriers strip away dignity and limit opportunities for healthy development.

“In this context, small acts of generosity can make a tangible difference,” says Deb Zelezniak, CEO at the Santa Shoebox Project.

“In 19 years, the nation has helped us reach more than 1.3 million underprivileged children in South Africa and Namibia with personalised shoeboxes filled with school supplies, toiletries and clothing items - practical necessities many families cannot afford. This year, the goal is to reach another 80,000.”

The impact is deeply felt in communities across the country. Busie Thuli of the Sakhisizwe Community Development Centre and Creche shares that the Santa Shoebox Project has brought immense joy to the facility’s 100 children, many of whom are disabled or come from unemployed families.

“Since 2019, the annual shoebox distributions have provided a lifeline of essential items and treats during Christmas, filling a critical gap in our community where resources are scarce. Their support has been a beacon of hope, bringing happiness and dignity to our most vulnerable children.”

From 1 September, you can make a child’s school year brighter by pledging, packing, and dropping off a Santa Shoebox for a child in your community, or by donating a personalised Virtual Santa Shoebox.

“Together, we can uplift and empower children-in-need and ensure they start the 2026 school year ready to learn and thrive,” concludes Zelezniak.

Click here for more information about what to pack and where to drop off, etc.

About the Santa Shoebox Project

Traditional Santa Shoebox:
Over the last 19 years, 1,301,508 Santa Shoeboxes, each containing eight specified items of treats and essentials, have been given to underprivileged and socially vulnerable children throughout South Africa and Namibia. From 01 September each year, Santa Shoebox donors choose their beneficiary child/ren by name, age and gender and are given the child’s clothing size. Each personalised shoebox reaches the very child for whom it was pledged.

Virtual Santa Shoebox:
These shoeboxes are purchased online by donors and are available year-round, meeting the needs of donors who live too far from drop-off points, or are too busy or unable to shop. The shoeboxes are packed by the Santa Shoebox Team and delivered to children attending far-flung rural facilities. A VSS contains the eight specified items, as well as additional items, such as reading books, and costs R500 plus an optional delivery fee of R30.

SSP Legacy:
All Santa Shoebox Project operating costs are covered by corporate sponsors. Privately donated funds and surplus funds generated by the sale of Virtual Santa Shoeboxes accrue to the SSP Legacy and are used to train teachers, install reading corners in under-resourced Early Childhood Development Centres, and to build ECD Centres in rural areas. SSP Legacy initiatives have thus far reached more than 125 000 children.

Fiduciary information:
As a Level One Contributor to B-BBEE, the Santa Shoebox Project earns 100 points on the generic scorecard, and with Section 18A status, is able to provide a tax-deductible receipt in recognition of donations. The Project is an initiative of the JOG Trust (IT2671/2009). The Trust is registered as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO-930031301), a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 102-098) and holds a current ICPR in support of 100% SED compliance.

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