By Akhona Valashiya
In the heart of North West’s rural villages, a powerful transformation is quietly unfolding. For over 15 years, the Bakwena Walk 4 Charity initiative has been walking side by side with underprivileged children and youth—restoring dignity, inspiring confidence, and building dreams that once seemed out of reach.
From Bethanie to Barseba, thousands of learners have felt the impact. The organisation has distributed over 78,000 pairs of school shoes, delivered food parcels, mobility aids, and sanitary packs, and provided vital educational and emotional support. And now, Bakwena is calling on businesses, individuals, and the government to walk with them again as they launch their 2025 charity campaign and gear up for an ambitious 2026 rural development programme.
“It takes a village to raise and stimulate the development of a child,” says Lucky Mashego, Programme Lead at Bakwena. “We’re simply asking you to be part of that village.”
The next phase of the initiative is set to benefit over 5,000 learners with new school uniforms and shoes, establish 17 rural computer centres, and distribute 10,000 sanitary packs. The programme also plans to provide food parcels to 500 families and mobility aids for children living with disabilities.
But it’s not just about physical donations. Bakwena’s holistic approach includes mentorship, wellness sessions, and youth sports leagues designed to help young people make healthy decisions and grow into confident leaders.
“These communities face challenges that go far beyond poverty,” explains Mashego. “Digital exclusion, lack of mentorship, and limited access to quality education all contribute to a cycle that we’re working hard to break. But we can’t do it alone.”
Support for Bakwena can take many forms—monetary donations, in-kind goods and services, or corporate sponsorships. Donors also benefit from brand visibility, B-BBEE alignment, and Section 18A tax certificates, making it a win-win partnership.
Tebogo Mahuma, part of the fundraising team, believes the annual charity walk is more than just an event. “It’s a movement. A reminder that when we walk together—businesses, media, communities—we move closer to equality, dignity, and opportunity for all.”
To get involved or learn more, contact Tebogo Mahuma or Neo Mcinga at 079 485 6667 or email sponsorships@bakwenacharity.co.za. Visit www.bakwenacharity.co.za for details.
