Pick n Pay’s “Project School Takeover” reached Kleinfontein Primary School near Swellendam on January 29, with Springbok rugby players joining the handover as part of a back-to-school support drive for rural learners.
The visit marked the second of three rural school interventions planned for January in communities where the retailer operates. The initiative responds to the financial pressure many families face at the start of the school year, when some children arrive at school without basic necessities.
A highlight for learners was the opportunity to meet Springbok rugby players Zachary Porthen, Babalwa Latsha and Sinazo Mcatshulwa, who attended the event in support of youth development and community upliftment.
At Kleinfontein Primary, 33 learners received grocery hampers valued at R1 000 each, as well as essential school supplies, shoes, vouchers and nutrition support. The school also received bulk grocery supplies for its feeding scheme and educational classroom content.
Through school-specific support, the initiative aims to give learners and their families a supported start to the academic year so they can focus on learning.
“The purpose is to give every child and their family a start to the year like they have never had before, with peace of mind around their most basic needs,” said Phillip Gittins, Head of Media and Advertising at Pick n Pay. He said Pick n Pay teams, suppliers and partners worked together to coordinate food, stationery, clothing and equipment for the schools.
The project is implemented in partnership with the Pick n Pay School Club, the Feed the Nation Foundation (FTN) and a network of suppliers. The January rollout also coincided with Global Community Engagement Day, observed on 28 January.
Deirdre Mullins from the Feed the Nation Foundation said the organisation funded and coordinated the food hampers for all three schools taking part in the January activations. “When families are supported, children arrive at school ready to learn and grow,” she said.
Project School Takeover recognises that learner success depends on more than academic materials alone and aims to support children both inside and outside the classroom.
The initiative forms part of the wider Pick n Pay School Club programme, which is set to support more than 2 750 primary schools across South Africa in 2026. The programme operates as a collaboration platform that connects schools with partners and resources.
Pick n Pay plans to grow Project School Takeover annually to support under-resourced rural schools across its national footprint.
The final January 2026 activation will take place at Corrie Lynn Primary School in Petrusstroom, KwaZulu-Natal.
Community members who wish to support the Feed the Nation Foundation can do so through donations or partnerships via feedthenation.org.za.
Sponsors and partners include the Feed the Nation Foundation, ASAP, Smart Steps School Shoes, Polyco, Vita24, Colgate, Melody Pops, Kiwi Shoe Polish and Pick n Pay suppliers.
