WATCH: Durban South Primary unveils new fully functioning library
Delighted school principal, Silindile Msomi, said opening the library has brought her great pleasure because in the six years of her tenure as the principal, it has been her dream that one day the school would finally have a library.
Durban South Primary had double reasons to celebrate as the school officially opened its new fully functioning library recently, which they hope will ignite a love for reading within the pupils.
The library opening ceremony was held on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child, which was particularly fitting as Durban South Primary is the only all-girls primary school in the South Durban basin.
The LEARN Project and AES Charitable Trust were the key sponsors for this initiative which aims to create sustainable libraries and classroom book corners for schools in need.
English teacher, Siphumelele Sithole, who was among those who were instrumental in securing sponsors for the library, said as a lover of books, she wasn’t impressed with the small room that was being used as a library.
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“I started teaching at the school in 2019, and I and other teachers wanted to change the situation. We wrote to different organisations and companies, not just in South Africa, but in the United States as well. An organisation in the US donated 200 books to the school, Biblionef donated 100 books and different companies donated. One company that changed everything was the Learn Project. I sent an email on May 5 and they responded on May 7,” said Sithole.
The LEARN Project team commenced with renovations in September as they wanted to officially open the library on International Day of the Girl Child.
“The girls are so excited to come into the library and read the books. Before today, most of them didn’t know what a proper library looks like and I’ve had to show them pictures on my phone and explain to them what a library is. Some of them live in communities where they don’t have access to libraries. I am super happy that our dream as the teachers of the school has finally come true. I’d like to thank the LEARN Project for everything because without them this would not have been possible,” Sithole added.
Delighted school principal, Silindile Msomi, said opening the library has brought her great pleasure because in the six years of her tenure as the principal, it has been her dream that one day the school would finally have a library.
“When I came to DSP, I had a list of things I wanted to achieve and amongst them was having a computer lab and a library. I have joy in my heart that today we have both. I wish to commend the efforts of the DSP library committee, led by Miss Sithole, for reaching out to the Learn Project. I also want to thank the LEARN Project team, for their prompt response to our request to develop this library,” said Msomi.
She encouraged the pupils to make use of the library, to be responsible and keep the books in pristine condition, and most importantly to obey the rules of the library.
