Back to School just got better! SA’s favourite and trusted school shoe since 1954, Bata Toughees, has launched one of its biggest Back to School campaigns – putting up a cash pool of R300 000 in the “It’s your time to shine” campaign.
Understanding that learners have had to overcome several obstacles in their learning journey in recent years – from school closures and a disrupted schooling calendar, to learning to navigate online learning, not having the right technical equipment, or watching their parents and guardians bear the impact of reduced salaries or losing jobs – Bata South Africa, which owns the Toughees brand, said “It’s time to shine”.
The back-to-school campaign urges learners, and parents, to enter the competition by stating how winning a share of R300 000 will help them “shine”.
Bata Country Manager Michael Wyatt said: “Bata, as a global company, believes in supporting and uplifting children. Undeniably, the past few years have taken a toll not just on adults in the workforce, and the health and safety industries, but on our children as well. They’ve equally had to learn very quickly to adapt to being at home, being confined, learning online, or not learning at all due to having no computer or internet access, and witnessed their parents taking on stress and worrying about the impact of the pandemic on their livelihoods. But slowly, we are beginning to see things get better. We are optimistic and we are confident about the future. Bata Toughees wants to play a part in this good story and enter the New Year with excitement and hope. We want to give a boost to learners and parents that’ll help them reach their dreams, goals, or aspirations in an incredible way. We are saying that it’s your time to shine.”
The competition is open to learners of all ages, as well as parents, to win one of ten R30 000 cash prizes.
To stand a chance of winning, entrants need to describe how winning a share of R300 000 will help them shine.
“It can be being able to buy a laptop, so that online learning is easier, or maybe parents would use it towards paying school fees to ease the financial burden, or it could be using the money to take up extra coding classes to equip your child with digital skills. We would like to know how this will help you in your aim to shine and be the best you can be,” said Wyatt.
Michael Sithambaram, Manager of Schools Division at Bata South Africa, said back to school was their busiest period on the calendar.
“We all eagerly look forward to back to school. Months of planning and forecasting lead to parents buying a pair of Toughees because they trust us to craft a pair of good quality, comfortable and enduring shoes for their children. It’s a small part to play in helping children reach their dreams. We look forward to hearing the aspirations of children as the next generation’s leaders,” he said.
To enter
Think about how winning a share of R300 000 will help you “shine” and what you would do with your prize. Submit your short motivation to Bata in one of three ways:
For the bookworms, the sports stars, the rock and rollers and everyone in between - Toughees, are the originals. Made ready. Made Tough. Just like you.
South Africa’s favourite school shoe brand since 1954.
It’s a Saturday morning at a bustling shopping mall in Johannesburg. Little Thando, full of curiosity, wanders off while his mom browses the toy aisle. In seconds, panic sets in — that heart-stopping moment every parent dreads. But unlike most stories, this one ends differently. Thando’s mom opens the Freedom 2 app, taps “Locate”, and within moments, she sees his exact position — just outside a nearby store. Relief floods over her as she spots him, still holding his ice cream, completely unaware of the worry he caused.
In a country like South Africa, where safety is always top of mind, the Freedom 2 isn’t just a gadget — it’s peace of mind on your child’s wrist. With increasing concerns about public safety, this smartwatch gives parents a practical way to stay connected and prevent tragedy before it happens.
✅ Why the Freedom 2 is a Must-Have
If you’re looking to give your child both freedom and safety, the Freedom 2 by Fabulously Fit is a standout. Designed with parents and kids in mind, this smart watch blends advanced technology with kid-friendly features — providing peace of mind for you and fun for them.
1. Stay Connected Anytime, Anywhere
With full 4G support, the Freedom 2 enables 2-way voice calls, video calls, text messaging, and even WhatsApp — letting your child reach you instantly, and you keep tabs on them with ease.
2. Precision GPS Tracking for Added Safety
This smartwatch uses GPS + AGPS + LBS + WiFi to track your child’s position with 5–15 metre accuracy. Set up geo-fences — get alerts when your child enters or leaves a safe zone. Review their route playback. Activate an SOS alert if they need help. All this gives you real-time confidence.
3. Dual Cameras, Smart Tools & Kid-Friendly Features
Your child can snap photos or make video calls with a dual-camera setup. The watch also includes smart tools: WhatsApp, MP4 player, voice recorder, class-schedule tracker, math games — blending safety with learning and fun.
4. Durable Performance & Long Battery Life
Built on Android 4.4 with 2 GB RAM + 4 GB ROM, a Nano-SIM slot for connectivity, and a robust 1 000 mAh polymer battery. It also features a 1.69″ IPS colour touchscreen (240×280 pixels) and modes for vibration, voice or silent notification — ideal for in-class use without distraction.
5. Designed with Kids in Mind
A “No Disturb” mode ensures the watch won’t interrupt learning time. A pedometer and sleep monitor support wellness tracking. Remote monitor and remote shutdown features let you discreetly check that everything’s okay.
🎯 Why It Matters for Your Family
Modern parenting comes with a tough dilemma — you want your child to stay connected and safe, but you don’t want to hand them a smartphone too soon. Too much screen time, access to social media, and unrestricted internet exposure can harm focus, sleep, and emotional wellbeing.
The Freedom 2 offers the perfect balance. It gives parents the ability to call, message, and locate their child instantly — without placing a smartphone in their hands. Your child gets independence and responsibility; you get reassurance and control. It’s connection with boundaries — the healthy middle ground every family needs.
🛍 Get Yours Now
Available in Blue, Pink, and Black, the Freedom 2 is ready to become your child’s everyday companion.
For the bookworms, the sports stars, the rock and rollers and everyone in between - Toughees, are the originals. Made ready. Made Tough. Just like you.
South Africa’s favourite school shoe brand since 1954.
Many children struggle with maths, but what if practice could feel more like a game than homework? For parents looking for a way to boost their child’s confidence in maths, the Twinkl Maths App is a simple, safe, and effective tool that turns mental maths practice into fun, bite-sized games.
Why Mental Maths Matters
Strong mental maths skills are the building blocks for success in the classroom and everyday life. From adding up prices in a shop to working out time or measurements, children use these skills all the time. But for many, practising times tables or number bonds can feel repetitive and dull, which is exactly where the Twinkl Maths App makes a difference.
What Is the Twinkl Maths App?
Created by teachers, the Twinkl Maths App is designed to help children master key maths facts and build speed and accuracy through engaging, game-like challenges.
The app covers core skills such as:
Times tables
Addition and subtraction
Number bonds
Doubling and halving
Division facts
With over 100 different game modes, your child can practise exactly what they need — whether they’re just starting out or building up speed for school tests.
How Does It Work?
Children can choose from two main modes:
Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) Perfect for children preparing for quick-fire multiplication tests. They answer 25 questions with six seconds to respond to each, building confidence under time pressure.
Skill Safari This adventure-style mode takes children through colourful worlds like jungles, oceans, and icy landscapes. Along the way, they answer maths questions, earn stars, and unlock new levels — making maths feel more like play than work.
A Safe, Flexible Way to Practise
Parents can feel confident knowing the Twinkl Maths App:
Is completely ad-free, so there are no distractions or pop-ups.
Works offline, making it ideal for car trips, waiting rooms, or places with no Wi-Fi.
Lets you track your child’s progress through clear dashboards and heat maps, so you can see exactly where they’re improving or where they might need extra help.
Why Parents Love It
Parents often say the Twinkl Maths App keeps their children focused, happy, and motivated. Because the app feels like a game, children are more likely to spend extra time practising — and they often don’t even notice how much they’re learning while they play.
“It’s super engaging and easy to use — no interruptions, and you can even use it without Wi-Fi.” — Parent review
Try It Today
Whether you want to support your child’s homework, help them prepare for a multiplication test, or simply encourage them to see maths in a new light, the Twinkl Maths App is an easy way to build skills through fun, daily play.
Ready to make maths practice something your child looks forward to? Download the Twinkl Maths App today and see the difference for yourself.
For the bookworms, the sports stars, the rock and rollers and everyone in between - Toughees, are the originals. Made ready. Made Tough. Just like you.
South Africa’s favourite school shoe brand since 1954.
If you’re a parent, you’ve probably experienced the daily homework battles or tried to make sense of the methods your child is learning in Maths today. The good news? Help is finally here – and it’s as simple as downloading an app!
The Twinkl Maths App is designed to make learning Maths fun, interactive and easy to understand – whether your child is just starting to count or preparing for high school assessments. Covering the South African curriculum from Preschool to Grade 9, the app provides bite-sized, curriculum-aligned questions and activities that build your child’s confidence and help them master key concepts step by step.
With colourful illustrations, child-friendly questions, and instant feedback, the app is perfect for practising at home, whether for homework, revision, or extra support during the holidays. What makes the Twinkl Maths App even more appealing is that it’s designed by educators who understand what children need – and what parents are looking for.
Maths Made Easier – In Your Language
As part of its Maths Made Easier campaign, Twinkl has also released a range of dual-medium Maths resources for Grade 7 learners. These resources are now available in English alongside isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sepedi, Setswana and Sesotho – helping more learners understand tricky topics in a language that makes sense to them.
It’s part of Twinkl’s ongoing commitment to making education accessible, inclusive, and empowering for every South African child.
Win a Set of SHARP EL-W535SA Scientific Calculators for Your Child’s Class!
To celebrate Maths Month and the launch of their dual-medium Maths content, Twinkl is giving away a full class set of SHARP EL-W535SA Scientific Calculators on their Facebook page!
To enter, simply visit our Facebook group and look out for the Math Made Easy Competition post with the entry details.
It’s that easy – and it’s a great way to support your child’s learning while standing a chance to win a prize that makes a real difference in the classroom.
Download the Twinkl Maths App from your app store today, or explore free printable resources and bilingual Maths support at www.twinkl.co.za. Follow @TwinklSouthAfrica on Facebook to enter the competition and get involved in the Maths Made Easier campaign!
For the bookworms, the sports stars, the rock and rollers and everyone in between - Toughees, are the originals. Made ready. Made Tough. Just like you.
South Africa’s favourite school shoe brand since 1954.
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