On 15 April 2014, students at Itemeleng Primary School in Reddersberg, Free State, became the proud recipients of an all-new Mandela Day container library and digital centre of learning.
The 40th Mandela Day library to open its doors to underprivileged learners since the start of the project on 18 July 2011, the facility at Itemeleng Primary School is the first of three container libraries sponsored by Via Afrika Publishers.
The sponsors took the concept of a Mandela Day container library and expanded it into a digital centre of learning. The library includes access to 15 tablet computers that host an interactive platform where teachers and learners can engage with the curriculum. In addition to this, 400 ebooks are loaded on to each tablet and the library offers wireless internet access.
Through this incredible investment, Via Afrika Publishers have established themselves as forerunners in the provision of digital access in under-resourced schools. Their contribution will not only inspire a love of reading, but also build critical skills needed as children move into a world increasingly driven by digital technology.
In shared vision with Breadline Africa and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Via Afrika Publishers believe in building a strong foundation at primary school level. It can be described as the kind of access to information and resources that gives communities like Reddersburg a real opportunity to develop and grow.
Supporting the initiative was MEC of Education in the Free State, Mr PHI Makgoe. His presence and speech were inspiring, and testament to the rate at which the Free State is positively improving in literacy development at primary school level.
The school, selected by Breadline Africa and the Soul City Institute, showed gratitude and a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for the library facility and all the educational resources included in it. Learners celebrated with invited guests in a display of traditional dance, poetry and singing. The commitment of the active Soul Buddyz group was also acknowledged and it was an assuring moment to recognise leadership being promoted among learners.
“We look forward to launching the next two such libraries in Limpopo and Mpumalanga and would like to thank Via Afrika Publishers for the great input they have had in helping to create a space that is exciting and inspiring to the 852 learners at Itemeleng Primary. We know that they will, undoubtedly, be spending much of their time in the library,” said Jade Orgil, Breadline Africa project manager.