Hakuna Matata and Friends provides over 1,000 pairs of shoes to under-resourced schools

A powerful wave of generosity swept through the West Coast recently, as Cape Town teacher and sports personality Irafaan Abrahams and his outreach group, Hakuna Matata and Friends, delivered what has been called the largest school shoe distribution in the organisation’s history. 

More than 1,000 pairs of brand-new shoes were given to learners at two of the region’s most under-resourced schools — P.W. De Bruin Primary in Lambert’s Bay and Leipoldtville Primary in the surrounding rural community — along with food, gifts, and hope.

“For years, we’ve raised funds through sport to support learners in need,” said Abrahams. “But this distribution was something else. We fed about 1,800 people, including families from the surrounding farms. We handed out stationery, treats, and so much love. The response from the community was overwhelming — emotional, humbling, and full of gratitude.”

Samira Appels, principal of P.W. De Bruin Primary, said the scale of the initiative took her by surprise.

“The first thought that came to mind when Mr Abrahams said that Hakuna Matata and Friends wanted to sponsor our entire school with school shoes was, ‘Well, obviously he doesn’t know our real learner total!’” she recalled. “He seconded my thoughts when I told him we have more than 850 learners at our school!”

“As a community that relies heavily on fishing and faces high unemployment, we simply cannot express the depth of our gratitude. When the shoes actually arrived, it felt surreal. But it didn’t stop there. They cooked for over 1,000 people across Lamberts Bay, the farms, and Leipoldtville. The learners, parents, and community members were all in awe — everyone was so excited and surprised.”

CJ Booysen, principal of Leipoldtville Primary School, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the impact on his learners and their families. “Some of our children didn’t have school shoes at all, or theirs were completely worn out,” he said. “Ninety percent of our parents are farm workers or dependent on social grants. This brought huge financial relief and peace of mind, knowing the learners will now be protected from the cold winter.”

“Thank you, Hakuna Matata and Friends,” Booysen added. “It was truly appreciated by our school and our entire community.”

For Abrahams, it’s not just about providing shoes — it’s about restoring dignity, bringing communities together, and showing children that they matter. “The principals told me many of them thought it was too good to be true — they only believed it when we actually showed up,” he said. “And that’s what makes it worth it — not just what we give, but the relationships we build and the hope we bring.”

This event followed closely on the heels of another major outreach, when Hakuna Matata and Friends visited Parkwood Primary School in Cape Town — a school deeply impacted by gang violence. That distribution marked their second-largest to date and brought support, food, and school shoes to children in a community still reeling from recent tragedies.

“We hope the blessings from this effort will rub off on the learners,” said Abrahams. “We want to show them that their lives matter, their future matters — and that there is still love and light in the world.”

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus