KwaMagxaki High School received a sizeable donation of sportswear from SPAR Eastern Cape. Photo: Leon Hugo

The participants of several sports codes at KwaMagxaki High School can now dress to impress after a sizeable donation of sportswear by SPAR Eastern Cape in Gqeberha on Friday.

 
Roseann Shadrach, the retailer’s advertising manager in the province, said that she was thrilled to be able to create “forever smiles” in the lives of the scholars as she presented the outfits and some equipment to principal Vuyani Ngcelwana.
 
“We have provided kit for different sporting codes as we believe that dressing the part brings a sense of pride and elevates the self-esteem of the pupils.”
 
She said the donation – for netball, rugby, soccer, basketball and athletics – would enhance the sporting careers and public appearance of the school’s 1 600 learners as they would represent both their school and SPAR.
 
Ngcelwana, who said they were “extremely grateful” for the support, echoed her sentiments.
 
“This is going to help us so much because we want to focus on sports programmes this year. The intention is to tackle social ills by involving the children in healthy sporting activities.”
 
Although sport was popular among the scholars, he explained that they often lacked pride in their appearance and sometimes even played in different outfits.
 
“This is going to be huge for us because it will make our pupils proud to turn out for their school.”
 
Ngcelwana believed this unity in sport would entice more pupils who had talent to take up a sport.
 
“In addition, they will begin to own the school and be proud of themselves and this change in mindset will make a positive contribution to the academic programme.”
 
Shadrach said supporting a school close to the Distribution Centre tied in with SPAR’s vision to be the number one brand in the communities it served.
 
“There’s the adage that ‘charity begins at home’ and the high school is on our doorstep. We realised there was a need and that we are able to assist.”
 
Feeding off the We’re for Smiles national campaign, she said SPAR EC had created “forever smiles” in the hearts of the KwaMagxaki children.
 
“Seeing the absolute elation on their faces is an experience that cannot be described in words.”
 
SPAR’s support for the school would be ongoing, added Shadrach. Apart from remarking the netball court, the retailer will remark the soccer fields and install an outside gym facility.
 
“We are committed to our values of demonstrating passion, living our family values and encouraging leadership through our relationships with our communities.”
 
Equally important, she said, was the opportunity to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
 
“We want our future customers to focus on healthy eating and exercise but understand that the economy doesn’t necessarily allow for this. Not many can afford to be a member of a gym.”
 
Initiatives like these open the way to a better, healthier life, she explained.