With schools set to reopen in a week, thousands of parents across South Africa are bracing for the financial strain of back-to-school shopping as stationery prices continue to climb amid unemployment and rising living costs.
As many families struggle to make ends meet, reality TV star, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Inno Morolong has announced a timely intervention aimed at easing the pressure on vulnerable households ahead of the 2026 academic year.
Morolong has launched a Back to School Stationery Drive focused on supporting learners from underprivileged communities who risk starting the school year without basic learning materials.
The initiative will collect and distribute essential items such as exercise books, pens, pencils, rulers, crayons, and school bags to children in need.
The drive comes at a critical time, with South Africa still grappling with deep economic challenges.
The unemployment rate stood at an estimated 33.2% in the last quarter of 2025, while youth unemployment remains alarmingly high at around 58.5%.
These pressures have left many parents unable to afford school essentials, particularly in households affected by job losses, orphanhood, or child-headed family structures.
Although some public schools provide stationery, parents have long complained that the support often falls short.
Rising costs of school uniforms and supplies have further widened the gap, leaving many learners disadvantaged before the first lesson even begins.
Speaking about the motivation behind the initiative, Morolong emphasised the importance of education as a tool for long-term change.
“Many learners start the school year without the basic tools they need to succeed. This drive is about restoring dignity, confidence, and hope, one school kit at a time,” she said.
The stationery drive will officially run from Monday, January 5, with planned handovers taking place at selected schools and homes on January 13 and 14, 2026.
Morolong confirmed that she will personally fund the project but has opened the door for members of the public, brands, and corporate partners to contribute towards purchasing school supplies.