Albaraka Bank Hosted Shoe Drive Initiative 2026 to Support Learners in Need

Al Baraka Bank proudly held its Shoe Drive Initiative 2026, a social responsibility programme aimed at supporting less fortunate and deserving learners by providing them with essential school shoes.

The initiative took place across three regions and was scheduled as follows:

• 04 February 2026 – Lukholweni Primary School (Johannesburg)
• 04 February 2026 – Zwakele Primary School (Durban)
• 05 February 2026 – Wespoort Primary School (Cape Town)

Al Baraka Bank partnered with the non-profit organisation Penny Appeal SA, who coordinated the initiative on the Bank’s behalf. Through this collaboration, a total of 480 pairs of school shoes were distributed, with 160 pairs allocated to each school.

A total budget of R60,000 was committed to the initiative across all regions, reflecting Al Baraka Bank’s ongoing investment in meaningful community upliftment.

For many learners, access to proper school shoes remained a significant challenge. Some children were required to walk long distances to and from school daily, often without adequate footwear. The initiative helped ease that burden, restored dignity, and enabled learners to attend school more comfortably and confidently. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Every act of kindness is a form of charity.” — Narrated by Al-Bukhari (Hadith 6021)

“Education is a powerful tool for transformation, but it begins with meeting basic needs. By providing school shoes to learners who need them most, we took a small yet impactful step toward creating a more equitable learning environment,” said Mr Nasir Seedat, General Manager: Retail, Wealth and Marketing at Al Baraka Bank.

The Shoe Drive Initiative was firmly rooted in Al Baraka Bank’s core values of social responsibility, compassion, and community development. As a values-driven institution, the Bank remained committed to initiatives that made a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities it served.

Al Baraka Bank believes that sustainable change is achieved through collaboration and purposeful action, and the Shoe Drive Initiative 2026 stood as a testament to this commitment.