Oscar Mpetha High School’s library revived

The pupils of Oscar Mpetha High School now have a well-stocked library to enjoy thanks to the National Library of South Africa.

According to teacher Vuyiseka Masekwana, the school’s library was just an empty space with a few shelves and few books, but mostly no staff to work in it.

The National Library of South Africa donated bookshelves,1000 books and five computers on Mandela Day, July 18.

Ms Masekwana said they are happy to have a library again.

“To be honest, not having an operational library at the school means that the reading culture was neglected for some time. That was a challenge that not only affected the pupils but the school staff and the community at large. We are in an area where most parents are unemployed meaning they cannot afford cellphones for their children to use for research. Now that we have computers and the library they will be able to research, and do their homework. We also have a policy that children should not bring cellphones to school. But we had to let them bring them because some of the work demands the internet,” said Ms Masekwana.

She said the school will look for a librarian who will help the pupils. She said the space has transformed from bare to buzzing.

National Library SA project manager for children’s literature programmes, Phakama Matoti said after hearing about the plight of the school, she approached other libraries and the Malmesbury Correctional Services for donations. She said she was grateful that the libraries of Nyanga and Gugulethu donated books too.

“After hearing their plight we had to do something. We had to help for the sake of the children. We are happy that these children will now be able to do their work at school. This will make their work so easy. You can imagine, some of the parents cannot afford mobile phones for their children to work on.The gratitude should also go to Malmesbury Correctional Service for donating cupboards and tables. They have done a good job for the school,” she said.