Teachers and learners stand in front of the new container library
Thursday 6 December marked the opening of the 22nd Mandela Day container library, at Amandla Primary School in eMalahleni (formerly Witbank), Mpumalanga.
Aptly named “amandla”, meaning “strength” or “power” in Zulu, this enterprising farm school continues to persevere under the guidance of a passionate principal, Mrs Sweety Masuku, despite facing significant challenges.
Amandla Primary School is located in eMalahleni’s mining district and is surrounded by coal and other mines.
Channel Islam International (Cii) highlighted the school’s severe lack of resources via its Educating the Future campaign, a broadcast project that seeks to inspire communities to help uplift humanity and support education and reading.
Liketh Investments, a local coal-processing company, decided to invest in the rural place of learning and also sponsored the container library. Amandla Primary is one of 16 rural schools that the company has “adopted”.