Former Springbok prop and Cape Town deputy mayor Eddie Andrews laced up once again in April 2026, running the Two Oceans Marathon half-marathon to raise funds for his ‘Soles for Souls’ campaign, an initiative that puts school shoes on the feet of children in need.
The 21.1km race was not just a personal challenge but a fundraising drive with a clear goal: every kilometre stands for thousands of pairs of shoes destined for schoolchildren across the country.
From the rugby field to the road
Andrews built his public profile both on the sporting field as a Springbok prop and later in the corridors of Cape Town’s City Hall as deputy mayor. His latest mission, however, is rooted in a simple cause: ensuring that children have a decent pair of school shoes.
April’s event marked Andrews’ seventh time running the Two Oceans Marathon, a race long celebrated as one of the most scenic on the calendar. For him, the kilometres carry a deeper purpose beyond the finish line.
Nearly R1 million raised and counting
Through the ‘Soles for Souls’ initiative, Andrews has already raised close to R1 million. The campaign channels those funds directly into providing school shoes, addressing a need that many families face at the start of every school year.
This year he set a target tied directly to the distance he was running. Andrews aimed to fund 21,100 pairs of school shoes, a figure that mirrors the 21.1km of the half-marathon. The symbolism turns each step of the race into a tangible contribution toward a child’s first day of school.
Running with a purpose
The pairing of athletic effort and charitable giving has become a hallmark of Andrews’ involvement with the Two Oceans Marathon. By linking his personal goal to the race distance, he gives supporters a clear and relatable way to understand the impact of their contributions.
For the children who receive them, a new pair of school shoes can mean comfort, dignity and one less obstacle to attending class. For Andrews, the race is a reminder that progress, much like a marathon, is achieved step by step.
As he crossed the start line for the seventh time, the former Springbok and city leader continued to channel his profile into a cause that reaches well beyond sport and politics, one pair of shoes at a time.
Photo: capetownetc.com
Leave a Reply