Mariental local authority councillor donates first sitting fee to Grade 1 pupils’ school shoes

Mariental local authority councillor William Minnie has pledged to donate five pairs of brand new school shoes to vulnerable Grade 1 pupils with his first sitting fee.

The newly elected local authority councillors received their sitting fees on 23 December.

Minnie, who is the youngest local authority councillor, told The Namibian on Tuesday that he dedicated his sitting fee to support pupils’ whose education is hindered by poverty or inequality.

“This first donation is funded solely from my own pocket. As a councillor, I believe that the credibility of leadership is strengthened when leaders demonstrate personal commitment before seeking external support,” he said.

Minnie said many communities continue to face socio-economic challenges in acquiring new school shoes, which impacts pupils’ confidence and their readiness to learn.

The councillor added that through engagements with parents and community members, pupils entering Grade 1 next year were identified as having the greatest need for new school shoes.

Minnie said he plans on increasing the number of pupils and making the initiative an annual programme as additional partnerships and resources become available.

He encouraged stakeholders and community-based organisations to join his efforts to scale up the initiative to include uniforms and stationery, reaching more children across Mariental and eventually the entire Hardap region.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.