Estelle Kruger, Senior Library Assistant responsible for public relations matters at the Cape Town campus library, said: “This event is part of the libraries’ portfolio. It’s part of our strategic plan, where we reach out to at least three NGOs. All the CPUT library branches contributed by donating books.”
The two NGOs that benefitted from this outreach initiative were Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA), represented by Christy White and Nicro, represented by Beverley Du Plooy and Gerhard Jansen Van Vuuren.
PSFA’s White was open about what his organisation would do with their portion of the books.
“We need to feed our kids, so we are probably going to sell these books at a fair price, to buy food items which will be handed out at various schools” she said.
White also mentioned that they are one of five school-feeding organisations in the province; however theirs is the only non-profit organisation.
“During his time in office, former State President Nelson Mandela formed a primary school feeding fund, which provided food only to a certain percentage of schools. That’s where PSFA fits in; we try to the best of our ability to cater to those who do not gain from this past initiative”, said White.
Du Plooy and Van Vuuren mentioned that Nicro discovered a shortage of libraries in townships.
“The books will be used at our offices in Khayelitsha and Langa, as there is a high illiteracy rate throughout the disadvantaged areas”, said Van Vuuren.
Currently, Nicro has a number of sponsors that help to sustain their 53 branches nationwide. These sponsors include the Provincial Department of Social Development and the National Lottery.
The books were handed over by the Library’s two Public Relations interns, Nadia Majiet and Nelisa Ntsokota, who have become extensively involved in organising such events as part of experiential learning.
Also present at the book hand-over were Deputy Director of the Cape Town Campus Library Michiel Moll and Branch Manager Sulaiman Majal.
Referring to the representatives of the NGO’s, Moll said: “This gesture is a token of appreciation for what you do for the community of South Africa”.
According to Estelle Kruger, this outreach gesture was the first of many charity events the Libraries plan to do and the book donations will happen annually.
By Mariette Adams
Photo: Library staff members and representatives from the organisations who received the donations.
