Old Bata Children's Program

Since 1894, Bata has been committed to contributing to the well being of the communities and countries in which it operates. The Bata Children’s Programme (BCP) was launched in 2010 to bring all Bata community initiatives focused on helping disadvantaged children under one umbrella, allowing for greater cohesion and impact.

The BCP believes every child should be provided with opportunities to help them reach their full potential and aims to make a positive impact in their lives and the lives of those around them. Our mission is to create a brighter future for needy children in our communities. Our approach is to tackle children’s global concerns locally by involving our Bata companies and employees as volunteers.

Bata fosters a unique corporate culture of service where employees are encouraged to play an active role in making our communities safer, stronger and more innovative places in which to live and work.

The Bata Children’s Programme has identified four key areas of development for children where we can make a difference: Education, Health & Safety, Living in a Sustainable World and Mentoring & Skills.

Currently the Bata Children’s Programme has carried out more than 100 initiatives in 22 countries, with the help of over 1000 volunteers, reaching out to 25 000 needy children.

EMPOWERING UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN SOUTH AFRICA

Bata Children’s Programme South Africa in partnership with Project Build constructed a new school for Sihambakancane School, which caters for the needs of disabled children from the surrounding communities. The initiative provided the school with a new building with two classrooms, a storage room, a kitchen and four new toilets. The children also received donations of school shoes, school books and supplies and Christmas gifts.

In another inititaive, a competition was launched where consumers were invited to nominate a school that needed upgrading.

Brookdale Primary School, in an underprivileged suburb of Durban was announced the winner. The school currently has 1730 pupils, of whom 973 are orphans and 360 of those belong to child-headed families. The school gets very little assistance from the government in terms of a yearly grant because it has been classed as a fee paying school, however, the community is so poor that a mere 3% can afford to pay the school fees.

BCP SA helped build a new Grade ‘R’ wing so that the children don’t have to hold their classes outside under the shelter of a veranda any more.

In October 2016, The Bata Shoe Organization donated 139 pairs of shoes to different schools in Loskop: Siphiwe Samangwe Primary School, Mpumuzi Primary School, Eqhweni Primary School, Phumelelani Primary School, Lukazi Primary School and Emangweni Primary School.

BCP SA has a close relationship with Qhubekani Pre – School in the Loskop area. Numerous visits are conducted throughout the year to enrich the lives of the children.

In 2016, BCP SA not only donated kitchen and toilet units to Qhubekani Pre – School but BCP volunteers visited the school together with local clinic sisters on Wellness Day. The children were de-wormed and given vitamin A , basic eye and dental check-ups and referrals were given were necessary. In December, volunteers hosted a Christmas party and handed over winter hats knitted by them.

Other projects undertaken include having Grade 12 students from Enkomokazini Tech visit the Bata Loskop factory where they spent time in our laboratory and workshop to experience the work environment.

On Mandela Day – volunteers spend 67 minutes in children’s hospital wards, gifting the children with toys, teddy bears and healthy treats.

GLOBAL FOOTWEAR BRAND BATA DONATES 1 MILLION PAIRS OF SHOES TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS, VOLUNTEERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

As a global leading shoe company, Bata feels responsible towards all its stakeholders including the communities in which it operates across countries and regions. This is why the Bata Group commits to donate 1 million pairs of shoes to health care workers, volunteers and their families, the front-liners fighting the Covid-19 with admirable courage and dedication every day. The donation will impact a number of countries, in Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and India. As part of this initiative Bata South Africa donated over 1000 pairs of shoes to essentials workers and learners. The deserving organisations and media partners included East Coast Radio, YFM, Siyabonga Foundation, Themba Nkosi Dreamers Foundation and local municipality in the Durban area.

“During these unprecedented times, Bata is committed to doing everything possible to ensure the health and safety of our employees and consumers, to continue to serve our consumers to the best of our ability, and to take meaningful action to help communities in need and those on the frontlines” said Alexis Nasard, Bata CEO. “Now more than ever, we are committed to upholding our values and to improve the lives of our consumers, employees, suppliers, customers and communities”.

Since the onset of the outbreak, Bata through its ‘Bata Heroes’ initiative, has been working with its long-standing foundations, charitable partners, government officials, and other organizations to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, in countries as diverse as India, Czech Republic, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Colombia, Italy, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Chile, Peru, Thailand, Malaysia. Bata produced and donated face masks, face shields and protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, as well as donated food, hygienic products, or funds through the Bata Children’s Program and the Bata Shoe Foundation.

CSI GIVE AWAY: POSITIVE VIBRATIONS

Bata South Africa has embarked on a CSI initiative to give away shoes to 5 organisations. One of the recipients of the CSI shoes was Positive Vibrations (Arts Foundation of Hope for the Girls), a Non-Governmental Organisation that focuses on development and human rights. Positive Vibrations has distributed the shoes and donated them to them to the a Chief Luthuli Primary School in Benoni, Gauteng Province and Positive Vibrations learners.

Positive Vibrations focus on work with LGBT+ communities, sex workers, people living with HIV as well as adolescent girls and young women. This organisation’s beliefs are centred around taking charge of your life, strengthening yourself to effectively shape your future, using your voice and actions to contribute towards the larger goals of social inclusion, social justice and equity.

Positive Vibrations distributed the school Shoes to Chief Luthuli Primary School and the Positive Vibrations learners in August 2021. Positive Vibrations in partnership with Bata South Africa have provided support and a positive change in the lives of these young girls, with this donation helping the girls step confidently and boldly into a better tomorrow. This project has been a touching experience for both the Parents and learners, a gesture of kindness that has had an impact on those who need it the most.

“Bata South Africa values the Positive Vibrations commitment to help others, especially in these tough economic times," says Swastika Juggernaut, Bata South Africa Marketing Manager, this donation has gone a long way towards the worthwhile initiative of educating and changing lives.

A letter of thanks received from Lungile Maboe, the Managing Director of Positive Vibrations stated: “We would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation, thank you for your understanding and your willingness to help those in need. We would like to thank you for sincerity by first contributing hope and willingness to support us. We are thanking you all for your eagerness and your wonderful hearts and for holding our hands in these difficult circumstances.”

CSI GIVE AWAY: KASI ANGELS

Bata South Africa recently donated 980 pairs of shoes to the Kasi Angels, a peer support, mentorship and networking programme that assists young women and men cope with life’s adversities. Kasi Angels has been touring the country distributing shoes.

Kasi Angels, a non-profit organisation identifies CSI projects that match the values associated with a brand and then introduce these brands to projects in townships and rural areas.

Kasi Angles has distributed the shoes to schools, kids and families that need them the most across the country. They go to rural and underprivileged areas to give school shoes to those in need. They hope to reach #1MillionPairs of shoes given away with the help of donors. They use local radio interviews to promote their cause and encourage donors to donate Toughees school shoes so they can reach their goal of 1 million pairs of shoes given away.

Their last drop off was at Naphakade Primary School in Western Cape where they reached 28 420 pairs of shoes donated to date. Kasi Angles makes sure not to disturb classes during the handovers and all Covid19 protocols are observed. You can donate a pair of Toughees to Kasi Angels by emailing kasiangels@gmail.com