Marching for Dignity: A Movement for Health and Solidarity
- Dimpho Ditsebe
- Jun 23
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 11
On a quiet day in early April 2025, a mother walked into Myclinic with a simple request: “Can you help me find 10 pairs of school shoes?” Just ten pairs. That was all she wanted.
What followed was far more than a donation. It became a declaration that no child should walk barefoot to school. Health is a matter of dignity, and solidarity is louder than any single cry for help.
On 16 June 2025, Youth Day in South Africa, over 800+ community members, 15+ stakeholder organisations, and 10 schools came together for a 6.7km march across Mapetla, Phiri, and Tshiawelo. Over 1,200+ school shoes were collected. More importantly, we ignited a new narrative about what communities can achieve when they work together.
Why Did We March? Understanding the Motivation
This wasn’t just about shoes. The march represented the triple-A effect:
Access: to education, basic dignity, and health.
Acknowledgement: of the hidden needs in our communities, poverty, mental health struggles, substance abuse, undocumented learners, and parental absence.
Action: a youth-led, community-backed movement to stop being bystanders.
We marched for the learner who walks barefoot past your driveway. We marched for the parent who can’t say “no” to drugs because no one ever taught them “yes” to love. We marched for the elder who sees decay but no longer feels heard.
Walking the Talk: Highlights from the Day
The event began at Dikgabane Primary School with prayer from Pastor B. Maseko. A powerful opening was delivered by Dr N. Hlungwane, Founder of Myclinic:
“This campaign started with one mother. Her voice matters. Your voice matters. This is not charity. This is shared responsibility. Let’s hold hands and move the needle together.”
Mr T. Mavume laid out safety procedures, while Jo from Mapetla Bootcamp reminded the crowd: “Liberation is a group project.”
And then, we marched.
10 Schools, 1 Message: Dignity
We passed through 10 school sites, each stop filled with deep emotion and hard truths. Diodi Primary’s principal painted a sobering picture:
“We are a no-fee school. Most learners don’t have grants due to lack of documentation. We face serious challenges: roofs, toilets, paint. But we carry on. Your presence means everything.”
Motsaneng Primary expressed:
“Your generous donation put a brighter smile on our learners’ faces and boosted their confidence. Thank you for choosing us.”
Although not every stop had speakers, each school received shoes. While some schools had shut due to the Youth Day holiday, all were honored.
Messages of gratitude poured in from schools along the route. Each one faced its own challenges, but one thing remained clear: our children are resilient. Tough conditions can either break or shape them. When we show up, with love, shoes, and support, even the smallest gestures become seeds of change. As one principal put it, "What you did today was more than giving shoes; you reminded us we are not forgotten."
Leading by example is an active endeavor. On June 16, we didn’t just speak; we marched, we gave, we listened, and we loved, loudly.
Health is Wealth: Stakeholder speeches that moved us
What set this event apart wasn’t merely its scale; it was its soul. Throughout the march, key voices addressed the realities we often ignore:
Dr Nhlamulo Hlungwane, founder of Myclinic, reminded us: “You can’t expect one structure to solve everything. But when we hold hands, we move the needle. We act.”
Councillor Merelda tackled drug abuse, stating: “Weed can cause psychosis. I see 18-year-olds who never return to themselves. Parents, there is no such thing as a naughty child. They’re asking for love in the only language they know.”
Matron Hlungwane from the Lenmed group asserted: “Today it’s about shoes. Tomorrow, it’s about continued action. We’re here to help make that consistent, to ensure that no child is left behind, not just in the classroom but in health.”
Buyisile Mncina, clinical psychologist, emphasised: “What we say must align with what we do. You can’t preach against alcohol while pouring your next drink.”
Dr Louis from Togalabs stated: “Screening is not a luxury. It’s a right.”
Dr Tebogo Sedibe from Myclinic echoed: “Don’t wait for a crisis. Whole-of-life care starts now, at school, at home, in the streets.”
Doctor from OpenDiagnostics South Africa highlighted the need for accessible health testing: “Early screening changes the future. For adults and children.”
Rixaka Funerals spoke, “Care doesn’t stop at death. Support matters after a crisis too.”
These weren’t mere speeches; they were awakenings.
Each voice didn’t just speak; they stirred emotions. These were raw truths, lived experiences, and urgent pleas for change. From the dangers of unchecked drug use to the silent cries of children labeled “naughty,” the messages struck deeply. They called us out, parents, leaders, and neighbors, to be more intentional, present, and consistent. These awakenings ignited reflection and, hopefully, inspired action.
Safety, Spirit & Solidarity: Organising the March
Thanks to CPF marshals, Mapetla Bootcamp volunteers, and the visible support of Lenmed, Toga, Open Diagnostics, Rixaka, and coordination with Clinix EMS and JMPD, along with SAPS, the march was:
Incident-free
Fully hydrated (providing water, fruit, and energy stations)
Logistically tight despite minor delays and some school absences.
Outcome: More Than Numbers
School shoes collected: 1,200+ pairs
Schools reached: 10
March participants: 800+
Partner organisations: 15+
Incidents reported: 0
Gratitude Is a Verb
To Mapetla Bootcamp:
“You turned a slogan into a movement. Your blue shirts led the way with pride.”
To Lenmed Group:
“Green was the color of the day. Your presence brought healing and purpose.”
To CPF:
“You were there before the crowds, sorting shoes and maintaining safety. Your commitment is the kind communities are built on.”
To Rixaka Funerals:
“You didn’t just buy shoes, you helped deliver them, plan logistics, and prep for the march. That’s partnership”
To Nazmed Pharmaceuticals CC:
“You dressed our unity. Your T-shirts reminded us we move as one.”
To Kgomotso Pooe and Sowetoo team:
“Your tuk-tuks quenched our thirst and contributed to our joy. In true Soweto spirit, community ingenuity met generosity, ensuring that every marcher stayed refreshed along the journey. It wasn’t just about shoes; it was about care, dignity, and the small details that make solidarity possible”
“Hydration and health were your gifts. The fruit kept us energized.”
To Mavume Security:
“You were our safety lead, protecting the march with professionalism and heart.”
To Clinix Health Group (Pty) Ltd EMS:
“You closed the day with sustenance. You truly walked with us.”
To Engen Tshiawelo Convenience Centre:
“You were the first to say yes and to show up.”
To Togalabs and Lancet Laboratories:
“Because of your screening kits, we offered free health checks. Prevention starts with tools.”
To Rixaka, TMB, Dr Sedibe, Jo, Dr Louis, Buyisile, Councillor Merelda, Pastor Maseko, our elders, our youth, and the local schools:
Thank you. We see you. We honor you.
A Call to Action
This wasn’t just a march; it was a movement of feet, hearts, and consciousness. It told us to:
Don’t throw that paper on the street.
Don’t buy those drugs because someone said it’s cool.
Don’t stay silent about your child’s depression.
Don’t wait for someone else to fix your community.
Health starts at home. It’s nurtured at school. It’s protected on the streets.
And the leaders of tomorrow? They are watching us today.
What’s Next? A Vision for the Future
We are building permanent school shoe collection points. We are launching a youth health pilot program focused on early screening, mental health, and school readiness. And —we are already planning next year’s march.
Because solidarity isn’t seasonal; it’s a lifestyle.
At Myclinic, we believe health starts at home, is shaped in the streets, and is sustained at school. Our work doesn’t end with a one-time event; we are actively developing year-long campaigns that tackle the roots of poor health—from gender-based violence to stigma around chronic illness, caregiver burnout, and teen substance use.
These are not just awareness drives. They are community-driven solutions requiring partnerships between clinics, schools, faith leaders, funders, and families.
During the march, we heard a powerful plea from Diodi Primary School:
“We have 841 learners and no toilets that truly cater to their needs. Help us.”
We cannot un-hear that.
As we reflect on the success of this march, we extend an invitation: Partner with us to build toilets, donate uniforms, fund screening kits, or mobilize your team to support future campaigns.
Together, we are not just marching. We’re moving the needle toward dignity, health, and hope.
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