Operation Dignity School Shoe Project hosted by Kiba in Umzinto, Kwazulu-Natal

16 January 2026

The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Mr Narend Singh, will participate in the Operation Dignity School Shoe Project on Saturday, 17 January 2026 at Umzinto Community Hall in KwaZulu-Natal.

The initiative is hosted by the KZN International Business Association (KIBA) as part of its Walking with Dignity project. During the programme, 2 000 pairs of school shoes will be handed over to indigent learners from the southern areas of eThekwini to support learner dignity and school readiness at the start of the academic year.

The Deputy Minister’s participation forms part of the Department’s Ministerial Schools Outreach Programme, which supports learner wellbeing through community-based engagements.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the handover as follows:

Date: Saturday, 17 January 2026 
Time: 10h00 
Venue: Umzinto Community Hall, KwaZulu-Natal

Members of the media may RSVP to:

Paul Sigutya 
Mobile: 072 921 2257 
E-mail: psigutya@dffe.gov.za

For media enquiries please contact:

Kagiso Letsebe 
Mobile: 083 439 9755 
E-mail: kletsebe@dffe.gov.za