03-04-2014, 10:21 AM
Learners from the Ntambanana community in the uThungulu District of KwaZulu-Natal are expected to reap the benefits of a R11 million investment in a library.
The facility, which was officially opened by KwaZulu-Natal Arts and Culture Department MEC Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha on Tuesday, will service five schools in the area, two of which are high schools.
"We are extremely proud of this project as it is an investment in our children's future.
“The entire community will benefit from this initiative and it will help the area progress not only on a socio-economic level but also expose the people to facilities that can better their lives," said MEC Sibhidla-Saphetha, speaking at the opening event.
She said the state-of-the-art library was part of ongoing efforts by the provincial government to encourage reading and contribute towards improving the province's matric pass rate.
The library, which is a partnership between the department and the municipality, already has 600 registered members and boasts a reading and writing club, where community members will be trained to read and write in isiZulu.
The facility also has a children's section that will encourage early childhood development and has books prescribed by Unisa and the University of Zululand. There is also a free Internet café.
MEC Sibhidla-Saphetha said the department will spend R640 000 annually to keep the library going. - SAnews.gov.za
The facility, which was officially opened by KwaZulu-Natal Arts and Culture Department MEC Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha on Tuesday, will service five schools in the area, two of which are high schools.
"We are extremely proud of this project as it is an investment in our children's future.
“The entire community will benefit from this initiative and it will help the area progress not only on a socio-economic level but also expose the people to facilities that can better their lives," said MEC Sibhidla-Saphetha, speaking at the opening event.
She said the state-of-the-art library was part of ongoing efforts by the provincial government to encourage reading and contribute towards improving the province's matric pass rate.
The library, which is a partnership between the department and the municipality, already has 600 registered members and boasts a reading and writing club, where community members will be trained to read and write in isiZulu.
The facility also has a children's section that will encourage early childhood development and has books prescribed by Unisa and the University of Zululand. There is also a free Internet café.
MEC Sibhidla-Saphetha said the department will spend R640 000 annually to keep the library going. - SAnews.gov.za