Award winning DJ, businessman and producer Shimza is ensuring that kids from previously disadvantaged backgrounds in and around Tembisa, where he was born, bred and nurtured have one less thing to worry about as they will have school shoes when going to school.
Shimza through his foundation, Shimuzic Foundation has partnered with Hollywood Foundation as they align on the 1000 Hopeful Soles project which forms part of the Back To School campaign by the Hollywood Foundation. Charity begins at home for the international star whose real name is Ashely Raphala, as he is not new to giving back and empowering his community. Shimza has been donating school shoes since 2016 but has decided to take things a step further through this impactful collaboration in order to ensure more kids receive school shoes. “The goal is to continue shining light and giving back as much as the Shimuzic Foundation can, to the kids and the community at large,” Shimza says.
1000 Hopeful Soles delivered 1000 pairs of school shoes to the home and orphanages that attended the annual Shimuzic Foundation Christmas Party which aims at giving all kids a Christmas to remember. It was held on 24 December 2023 ahead of the annual Shimza’s One Man Show on 25 December 2023 at Mehlareng Stadium in Tembisa, Johannesburg. Speaking about the 1000 Hopeful Soles, Shimza said: “ This is something which is extremely
close to my heart, it gives me joy to be able to assist leaners with school shoes, because it raises their confidence levels. Through the Shimuzic Foundation we want to give hope to the children of Tembisa, giving them the confidence to step into school with new shoes. 1000 Hopeful Soles came to inception as I noticed that kids in the township that I grew up in were walking around not wearing proper school shoes, what they wore would be either torn or broken and I needed to do something about this. Hollywood Foundation PR Officer, Vuyisile Ngobese said: “Education is the key to unlocking the full potential of our youth, and the ‘Back to School’ campaign, set to commence its handovers from the 22 January 2024, is a testament to our commitment to empowering
the next generation. Through the school supplies drive, we look forward to positively setting the academic scene by ensuring that each child is provided with uniform and stationery and to further alleviate the emotional stress weighing on parents, fostering a community where education is a beacon of hope and opportunity including partnering with Shimuzic Foundation on their 1000 Hopeful Soles.”
Shimza added: “I am grateful and would like to thank to our partner Hollywood Foundation for coming on board as this means more kids will be able have school shoes. Last year we donated 600 and today we have donated 1050 pairs to be exact and nothing brings me more joy.” The handover took place on Tuesday, 16 January 2024 at Rabasotho Community Centre in Tembisa, Johannesburg ahead of schools reopening on 17 January. In attendance were some of the recipients of the school shoes from their respective orphanages