SABC donates books to Education

The donation follows needs analysis conducted by the two institutions on how best they can help this school after identifying chronic issues affecting youth of the community like gangsterism which could destroy the moral fibre of this community. The learning material consignment will also help develop these youngsters to be intellects, since currently the community is riddled with poverty.

Amongst the key speakers in this event is the Education's Chief Director of Statutory Advisory and Protocol Services, Phila Ngqumba who delivered a keynote on behalf of MEC Mandla Makupula. Ngqumba encouraged these learners to be dedicated and study with understanding.

"Education is everyone's responsibility" said Ngqumba. He went on to say that the Youth of 1976 fought for a better education hence the Department of Education encourages learning. "Nompumelelo was chosen because the department and the SABC saw the dire need for the teaching and learning material and the community of the Whittlesea location", said Ngqumba.

Phila also donated an Acer laptop as a gift by the office of the MEC meant to ensure that the issuing of these books to learners is carried out easily. Tru-Fm, an SABC youth radio station manager Thobeka Buswana quoted a Chinese proverb while making an introduction of Zola Yeye, and it said "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step".

Buswana went on to explain that the first step is crucial in everything you do especially when it comes to a child's education. She also introduced Zola Yeye, the Regional Manager of the SABC to the roaring crowd in attendance.

Yeye started his speech by explaining the need to commemorate the June 16 to the audience. "Blood was split in 1976, because the then learners wanted a better system of education. Learners of today are concerned with physical appearances than enriching their minds, that needs to change," said Yeye. 

The donation of 1 000 books to Nompumelelo Senior Secondary according to Yeye is meant to assist the nation of South Africa so that the future could be bright. "Do not take these books for granted", warned Yeye.

Accepting the donation was a grade eleven student from the school, Sandile Fuba who welcomed the gesture. "We still need more to be done by the government and corporate to assist us, learners", said Fuba. He further mentioned the shortage of facilities like classrooms and computers, which could improve teaching and learning at the school.
 
The school principal, Charles Mohlabola, also thanked the SABC for recognising the schools in the province. He promised to open the library to the community as a whole to benefit from the books not only the learners in the school.

"The word bank or info bank is one thing that one cannot rob you of. There's a lack of reading and a culture of boredom in our learners here, we hope these books will help destroy that. You, learners of this school and around this area must honour the students of 1976 who died for a better education by reading and consuming more knowledge from these books," concluded Mohlabola.