One hundred learners at Siqobile Primary School in Tshwane have received new school shoes through an Engen community partnership focused on addressing practical needs facing local children.
The donation was made by Engen Thorntree ZZ Convenience Centre through Engen’s Dealer Community Partnership Programme, which enables individual Engen dealers to identify and support initiatives within the communities surrounding their service stations.
For dealer Ben Fourie, the school shoe initiative grew from an existing relationship with the Mukalanga Foundation and demonstrates how sustained community partnerships can develop beyond a single intervention.
Fourie has supported the foundation’s annual community soccer tournament since 2024. Established to give local children opportunities to participate in sport, the tournament promotes teamwork, discipline and perseverance while creating a positive environment for young people.
Working with Mukalanga Foundation’s Norman Munyai eventually connected Fourie with Siqobile Primary School and provided an opportunity to extend that support to learners who needed school shoes.
“We are proud to support Siqobile Primary School with something as practical and important as school shoes,” Fourie said.
“Our involvement with the Mukalanga Foundation and the annual soccer tournament has allowed us to build relationships in the community and identify other areas where we can make a difference.”
The 100 pairs were handed over to learners on 28 August, providing an everyday resource that the school says can influence how children experience their education.
“For many of our learners, a new pair of school shoes is more than just part of a school uniform; it gives them confidence, dignity and a sense of pride,” said Siqobile Primary School principal Ms Maselela.
The initiative forms part of Engen’s Dealer Community Partnership Programme, which combines the company’s social investment resources with the local knowledge of its dealer network.
Engen National Sales and Operations Manager for Inland, Thabo Tswai, said dealers can help businesses understand needs that may not always be visible at corporate level.
“Our Dealers are an integral part of our value chain. They are not only business partners but are also part of the communities where we operate. They understand the local needs and, importantly, the opportunities,” Tswai said.
He added that the intention is to develop relationships capable of delivering longer-term value rather than limiting community investment to once-off donations.
“A handover is a moment, but what matters is what happens afterwards. We want to build partnerships that go beyond the handover, beyond funding and beyond PR.”
Engen CSI Manager Olwethu Mdabula said the model provides dealers with an opportunity to respond directly to needs identified within their own communities.
“We commend Ben and the Thorntree ZZ team for identifying a real need at Siqobile Primary School and responding in a way that will directly benefit learners,” Mdabula said.
“The dealer’s ongoing involvement with the Mukalanga Foundation shows how sustained community engagement can create opportunities for further initiatives that benefit learners and the wider community.”
The Tshwane initiative builds on Engen’s wider investment in education and learner support. Earlier this year, more than 900 pairs of school shoes were provided to learners in disadvantaged communities through the company’s national Back-to-School campaign.
Through its dealer partnership model, Engen is continuing to work with schools and community organisations to identify local needs and turn existing relationships into practical interventions for learners and their communities.
