UKZN Library Services Marks Mandela Day with Visit from Primary School Learners

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Library Services celebrated Mandela Day by hosting over 30 Grade 7 learners from The Grange Primary School, located in Pietermaritzburg.

Hosted during the school holidays, the Library Services dedicated their 67 minutes to inspiring learners with an interactive programme that explored the importance of libraries in advancing change through education and lifelong learning, under this year’s theme: ‘It’s Still in Our Hands to Combat Poverty and Inequity - Justice for All’.

In her welcome address, Professor Ruth Hoskins, Dean of Teaching and Learning at the College of Humanities, highlighted the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as transformation policies addressing global injustice. She made special mention of Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education that promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all, and Goal 5, which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

Hoskins encouraged learners to recognise their role in transforming the world by focusing on growth and development. She said, “The best tool for this is education, which remains the greatest equaliser.”

Commenting on the theme, Hoskins remarked: “Your hands are the tools of transformation. If you seek change, growth, and development in your life, you need to take the steps to make it a reality, by making decisions today that will benefit you tomorrow.”

Dr Nonhlanhla Ngcobo, Director of Library Services encouraged learners to work hard from primary through to high school to gain access to university; in particular, UKZN as an Institution that ‘Inspires Greatness’.

She explained the University’s College model and discussed available programmes and entry requirements. Ngcobo also urged learners to become scholars of lifelong learning by including recreational books in their reading, not only those aligned to their academic programmes.

The Mandela Day initiative between UKZN’s Library Services and The Grange Primary School is part of a long-term community engagement effort that has spanned several years.

After being approached a few years ago by Mr Musawakhe Ndlovu, Principal of The Grange Primary School, to help establish a school library, the unit ran a successful book drive supported by academics and donated furniture. This led to the library being launched last year on Mandela Day.

The initiative was the result of collaboration between the principal, the media teacher, and UKZN Library Services staff, who worked closely to ensure that the library’s setup and environment were conducive to learning. Ndlovu said that attending this year’s Mandela Day celebrations at UKZN was a direct outcome of the strong relationship built over the years.

“Their assistance in revamping and launching our own library last year on Mandela Day has had a massive impact on the educators and learners. It’s given them an inviting space with more reading material.”

Ndlovu added: “We look forward to a continued relationship with the University and our visit today will ensure that we ultimately prepare learners to enrol in universities by exposing them to library resources and university life at a young age.”

The Disability Support Unit presented a talk that described how they make the University accessible and inclusive for all, by providing people with disabilities with tools and materials required for them to succeed academically and make their student experience an enjoyable one. 

Learners were also taught a few terms in Sign Language.

Dr Praversh Sukram, Senior Manager: Circulation at UKZN, thanked the learners and teachers for attending, and the service providers and the librarians for making the event possible.

Hulamin, one of the biggest suppliers of aluminium in Africa, provided a career exhibition stand where learners could engage with them on their available bursary opportunities and careers.

The learners enjoyed a ‘Friendzone Session’ where they wore fun and quirky outfits. They were also taken on a tour of the Cecil Renaud Main Library on the Pietermaritzburg campus and received goodie bags containing items donated by UKZN Colleges.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photographs: Andile Ndlovu