"Never stop Learning" reads the sign on the newly established resource centre, officially opened on Friday 4 August at Hanyani High School. Aptly named Nga Tshumisano (Tshivenda for let us work together) by the school's governing body, it brings together the school, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD), which donated the facility on behalf of the Jewish community. The new centre provides computers, uncapped Wi-Fi and resource material for the matric learners.
Hanyani High School is located in the Sagole Tshipise area outside Musina, in a village with limited basic amenities. The school serves a cluster of villages in the area. Many of the students have to walk 14 kilometres to and from classes every day.
UJ has been involved in the neighbouring village, Gwakwani, since 2014 and has provided the area with solar energy, a crèche and a bakery. In his message at the official opening, UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi referred to the sign that reads "donated with love by the Jewish community". He spoke about the need for the students to believe in themselves and quoted from the song "Children, hold onto your dream" by William Howard. Learners were told never to stop dreaming and not give up while thinking that nobody cared. Prof Mpedi urged them rather to work hard and not to despair.
Headmaster of the school Mr Thifhelimbilu Ndau commented that this centre meant a new beginning to the school. "The access through a connected computer network will bring the school into the 21st century, allowing access to the Internet and, through that, make learning and assignments that much richer and more meaningful," he said.
Ndou added that they were indebted to the school governing body (SGB), UJ and the SAJBD for the success of the project. "We had a dire need for Internet, printing, typing and a library. Leading a school without proper resources is a challenge to many of us in rural-based schools. Inadequate resources affect the teaching and learning exercise," he said.
SGB chairperson Ndivhuwo Mbedzi called on community members to look after the school's property. "I want to promise the donors that we will protect and look after this beautiful learning centre. It is our responsibility to make sure that no thug comes near this property. This learning centre has the potential to develop our people who will, in turn, develop this forgotten place," he said.
SAJBD spokesperson Charisse Zeifert said she was delighted to be part of the project. "When we met with Professor Mpedi, we realised that this was a project that we wanted to become involved in," she explained. "We considered the remoteness of the village, and how easily areas like these can be neglected and overlooked, and we wanted to make a difference to the lives of these learners. The collaboration between UJ and the SAJBD ultimately resulted in a project that was meaningful, practical and sustainable."
The event was attended by local chiefs, teachers, school children and school management, as well as members from UJ and SAJBD. If rain is a blessing, the event was truly lucky, as unseasonal rain fell during the morning.
(Article supplied by the SAJBD)