Cape Town is right up there with the world’s best when it comes to the most beautiful cities in the world. And there’s no better way to explore than on foot, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Robyn Simpson. Sneakers – they are so much more than just vessels that get us around the Mother City. They allow us to adventure in style, all while expressing facets of our identities. Sneakers allow us to express ourselves from the inside out.
No one took a walk greater than our beloved Nelson Mandela. Not only was his walk to freedom profound and historic for South Africa – it was done in signature Madiba fashion – literally.
President Mandela spent much of this time in a pair of HI-TEC tennis shoes. My love for all things retro rests runs deep, and these classic sneakers not only deliver in this respect, but have become icons of great change and a fight for freedom. These are the shoes that carried Madiba in his fight for freedom.
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30 years later and HI-TEC is carrying the spirit of President Mandela in the form of a heritage sneaker that celebrates his legacy, encouraging the global community to not only remember his journey but to step into his shoes and continue the long walk of freedom.
In collaboration, The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF), HI-TEC, and Hoorah have re-released the Freedom 67s. Gifting a limited 67 pairs to an equal number of freedom ambassadors to donate to the NMCF and celebrate the late President.
The Freedom Ambassadors are truly representative of our Rainbow Nation and include, amongst many others, Khaya Dlanga, Zola Nene, Seth Shezi, Schalk Bezuidenhout, DJ Speedsta, and Jimmy Nevis.
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The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund was founded by President Mandela in 1995. Its mission is to address the challenges the children of South Africa face daily.
“Mr. Nelson Mandela wanted freedom for all, and with this, in mind, our number one priority was to raise funds for the NMCF,” says Andrea Engelbrecht, Head of Marketing of HI-TEC South Africa.
Now more than ever, design is being recognised as the catalyst for change and Hoorah Digital Consulting is leading the way in this transformative approach for good.
“Our discovery of this profound piece of brand history inspired us to create societal upliftment, utilising these iconic sneakers as a platform for change. The initial positive sentiment and funds raised for the NMCF truly illustrate that design thinking underpinned by creativity for good is universally embraced,” says Simon Spreckley, Chief Creative Officer of Hoorah Digital Consulting.
“In addition, to support the NMCF, Hoorah Digital has pledged R50 000 for a pair of the 67s, so we may also make a small difference,” says Mark Tomlinson, Chief Innovation Officer of Hoorah Digital Consulting.
HI-TEC and its ambassadors are welcoming the world to walk with them and to #KeepFreedomShared by supporting the campaign and donating to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund – keeping President Nelson Mandela’s legacy alive – to continue to create freedom for others, including children.
In the words of Madiba himself, “the purpose of freedom is to create it for others.”
For more on Freedom Shared, visit freedom.hi-tec.co.za.
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Pictures: Supplied