As the winter chill begins to set in across South Africa, Engen is once again stepping in to ensure that no child is left behind due to a lack of basic school essentials. Through its 2026 Back-to-School, School Shoe Campaign, Engen is reaffirming its commitment to restoring dignity and supporting education by providing 900 pairs of school shoes to primary school learners in disadvantaged communities.

Building on the success of its 2024 Winter Warmer School Shoe initiative, which benefited 700 learners nationwide, this year’s campaign has expanded its reach, impacting even more young lives across multiple regions.

“Education remains one of Engen’s key social investment priorities,” says Olwethu Mdabula, Engen’s CSI Manager. “As winter approaches, we recognise that when learners have the essentials they need, they are better equipped to succeed.”

Nationwide handover rollout
The 2026 campaign was successfully rolled out across multiple provinces, beginning on 9 April in Beaufort West in the Western Cape at Dlikidla Primary School in partnership with the Transnet Foundation.

The initiative then extended to KwaZulu-Natal, with handovers at Austerville Primary School and Parsee Rustomjee Primary School in South Durban.

In Limpopo, distributions took place on 21 April in Mokopane at Lebone Special School and Mamangina Combined School.

Gauteng followed on 22 April, where the handovers were conducted in collaboration with Engen’s retail team and local dealers and representatives from Engen Diepkloof, who attended the Bopanang Primary School event, and Fundile Zondo from Engen Tembisa, who attended the Masiqhakaze Secondary School handover.

The rollout concluded on 23 April in Klerksdorp, North West, with a joint event with Pelokgale Primary School and Bathabile Primary School, which ensured broad national reach and impact.

Making a Meaningful Difference
The campaign is rooted in the belief that education is a powerful catalyst for change. By addressing a fundamental need, the initiative helps remove a barrier that often prevents children from attending school with confidence.

“For many learners, something as basic as school shoes can be a barrier to attending school with confidence. By addressing this need, we are helping to restore dignity and create an environment where every child feels valued and included,” adds Mdabula.

A Commitment to Sustainable Impact
Engen’s ongoing investment in education and community upliftment reflects its broader commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on quality education, reduced inequalities, and sustainable communities.

As a company that operates at the heart of communities across South Africa, Engen continues to prioritise initiatives that create lasting, positive impact.