Learning at Matangari Primary School recently received a huge boost when a former pupil donated books to the school.
Ms Tshifhiwa Ramuthaga won the Visionary CIO award in 2014 from the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (formerly CSSA), in association with IT Web, GIBS and Gartner Africa. She received the award for demonstrating visionary leadership in using technology to drive strategy and innovation in the organisation.
The former learner decided to donate R25 000 to the school to buy books for the development of a school library. According to Ramuthaga, Barloworld also donated some of its old furniture and other individuals added to the book collection.
She added that the library would be named after a former principal of the school, Mr Mmbambadzeni Daba, "for his tireless efforts in setting the highest academic standard at the school when it was developed". Daba was the principal of Matangari Primary from 1979 until 2012, when he retired.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the circuit manager of Mudaswali, Ms Duduzile Mkhondwane, said she was grateful to be part of the critical investment to develop the education of the learners for the better. "We need to see that our learners are able to read, write and count. They will be able to use the library fruitfully to gain knowledge and skills," said Mkhondwane.
The principal of the school, Mr Jonathan Netshapapame, said that the school library came at a good time when learners were encouraged to actively join the world of reading. He urged learners to use the library for the purpose of advancing themselves in education and nothing else.