LIS outreach on Mandela Day

mandela-day-2019Celebrating Mandela Day is a standing tradition at NWU LIS, and this year was no exception.  The three campus libraries commemorated Mandela Day in different ways in reaching out to nearby communities.

Mafikeng Library donated school shoes at Masutlhe 1 Primary School

Mafikeng library commemorated Mandela Day by buying 10 new pairs of school shoes for selected children at Masutlhe 1 Primary School. The idea of buying shoes came about when the NWU LIS offered all three of its campuses R1000 for Mandela Day activities. Mr Siviwe Bangani, 2018 Librarian of the Year  (LoY) topped the amount given to Mafikeng Campus with R1000 from the LoY award. A primary school was identified with the assistance of Dr Lefenya-Motshegare from the NWU Law Faculty, wife of the chief of the Masutlhe Village, Kgosi Motshegare. The primary school is at Masutlhe 1 – a remote village outside Mafikeng. The school identified 10 children who would benefit greatly from this initiative and provided the shoe sizes of the children. Dr Lefenya-Motshegare also bought a complete school uniform out of her own pocket for a child who lost all his clothes after his house burned a few days before the Mandela Day.

The handing out of the shoes was done in a ceremony organised at the primary school by the royal house to celebrate Mandela Day. This event was a true reflection of the legacy and life lessons of Tata Nelson Mandela. The spirit of ubuntu, selflessness, giving, and promoting educational values espoused by Tata Mandela were at play. There were presentations by speakers from various critical government entities creating an awareness of the issues that affect the community and the services that are available, as well as locations and contact numbers of places of help. The Department of Health, SAPS, NWU Community Law Clinic, Department of Economic Development, NWU LIS and the community were all represented. Councillor T Motshabi who represents the community in Local Government also attended.  It is through initiatives such as these that the NWU LIS is reaching out to communities and demonstrating that librarians are indeed agents of positive social change.

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Potchefstroom library decided Charity begins at home

Potchefstroom LIS staff members celebrated a very successful Mandela Day by reaching out to the Campus Protection Services with the theme: Charity begins at home.  Protection Services is one of our main stakeholders as they take care of us on a daily basis by providing protection to both our assets and ourselves.  The staff are always willing and friendly to assist when needed.  They are working night shifts and long hours in the cold.   The LIS donated gloves, scarves and beanies to keep them warm – all items reflected a message that the Library cares  (picture).   Donated items were received by Mr Des Ayob, Director of Protection Services and some of his senior staff members.  Mr Ayob conveyed his appreciation and gratitude.  He mentioned that it’s the first time that colleagues of the NWU reach out to Protection Services in this manner.  It was a privilege for library staff to be involved in this project – it gave us an opportunity to give back to the people who are serving us.

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Vanderbijlpark reached out to Kopanong Hospital

Vanderbijlpark library staff decided to reach out to the Outpatient Department and Ithemba Section at Kopanong Hospital in Vereeniging.  Staff members worked together and prepared lunch bags containing sandwiches and fruit.   More than 100 lunch boxes were distributed amongst waiting patients and their family. The patients were very thrilled and thankful for the food, the majority of them indicated that they were there for many hours – not being able nor having anything to eat.  The library staff felt afterwards that it was a fulfilling experience to reach out and to make a difference, especially in the lives of vulnerable people.

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Siviwe Bangani, Boitumelo Masilo, Martin Nokoane, Louise Vos and Thoko Tswaile.

Mandela Day – Feedback from our libraries

In celebration of the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela on 18 July, the NWU LIS reached out to nearby communities in different ways.  All libraries also had book exhibitions to commemorate Mandela’s legacy.

Mafikeng Library

The Mafikeng library took on two projects in celebrating Mandela day. These projects are as a result of a request from the community of Magogoe through Mr Tuny Molwaesa who is the coordinator of the Magogoe Community Library initiative. Because the community library is in close proximity to Phetlhu Secondary School, it was decided to extend the project to establish a school library as well. The LIS staff members assembled the shelves, unpacked books from the boxes and arranged them on the shelves according to faculties. There were various informative posters that were donated by the NWU LIS that were used to decorate the newly established libraries. These activities were motivational and they did a lot to boost staff morale.

A big thank you to the following staff members who made a huge difference with this initiative:  Siviwe Bangani, Benford Rabatseta, Boitumelo Masilo, Clement Lebeya, Dina Mashiyane, Edward Mogwasi, Mahlatse Tema, Sebo Sebolai and Vuyo Ngayeka.

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Potchefstroom Library

Potchefstroom Library reached out to Bokamoso Intermediate School at Rysmierbult near Potchefstroom.  There is no library or any fiction material to read.  The aim was to create two reading corners, one for juniors and the other one for seniors in two classrooms.  Staff restored and painted 2 dilapidated bookshelves, wall areas for the reading corners and a merry-go-round on Saturday, 14 July.  Information Resources staff spray-painted old pamphlet holders beforehand.  Staff donated paint brushes, rollers, floor puzzle rubber mats, books and soft toys.  Cushions and books were provided by the library.  Thank you to the following staff who worked very hard on this project:  Martin Nokoane, Alta van den Berg, Janie Lamprecht, Lungile Dlamini, Marolay van der Walt, James Kolodi, Suzette Janse van Rensburg and Mietsie Harman.

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Vanderbijlpark Library

Vanderbijlpark library staff dedicated their 67 minutes at a local school, namely Suncrest High School. Librarians value the fact that they don’t know everything, but they have skills to find anything in the library. The staff had no donations this year, but that never held them back to make a difference in the library.  They took it upon themselves to rearrange the library and to make it easier for leaners to navigate the books they wish to use for their school work. A big thank you to Tiny Moripa, Thoko Tswaile, Katleho Chiya and Thandi Motsoari.

Staff also took part in the Vanderbijlpark Student Counselling and Development campus campaign – Charity Begins At Home.  This initiative – Mandela Day 67 item donation, provided an opportunity for staff to donate items for students in need.

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Mandela Day – 18 July 2018

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In celebration of Mandela Day, the campus libraries have book exhibitions to celebrate Mandela’s life and legacy.  The NWU Libraries will once again be involved in nearby communities where we will give of our time and share resources and skills.

The LIS will have three projects:

  • Our Mahikeng colleagues will be involved in Mogogoe, where they will assist in setting up a Community Library.
  • Potchefstroom staff will reach out to Bokamoso Intermediate School near Rysmierbult, Potchefstroom to create reading corners in two classrooms.
  • Vanderbijlpark staff will be involved in Suncrest Secondary School Library.  They started to organize this library during Library Week 2018.  They will now take this initiative further.

Feedback and pictures will be provided afterwards.  Thank you to all the colleagues involved!

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Mandela Day: Mafikeng Library contributes to Meal-a-Day Project

The Meal-a-Day project provides a meal to deserving, needy NWU students. The project has made a significant contribution to the physical well-being of students over the past years.  Mafikeng library staff participated in the Mandela Day activities by donating non-perishable food and toiletries to support this Project. The food and toiletries which were collected will be handed over to the co-ordinator at Institutional office (IO) to be distributed to needy university students as part of  NWU’s Meal-a-Day project.

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VTC Library celebrates Mandela Day

Vanderbijlpark Library participated in the Mandela day celebration by reaching out to Mathwala’s Children’s home in Vanderbijlpark, about 3 to 4 kilometers away from the campus.  Mathwala Children`s home accommodates  32 children, 10 are girls from 9 months to 12 years and 22 boys from 2 years to 21 years.  The library staff has donated non perishable food, toiletries, clothing and 20 liters of paint.  We also painted the room that is going to be used by the children as a study unit because the University promotes academic excellence.  The Mathwala’s orphanage home appreciated our presence in celebrating with them the 67 minutes of the Mandela day, the center was filled with love and joy and we were openly welcomed by the home.

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“Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future. Those who abuse them tear at the fabric of our society and weaken our nation.” Nelson Mandela

A special gratitude of thanks to all the staff who contributed not only their funds but their time to go make a difference at the orphanage, also those staff who were left behind and continued with their duties of serving students at the library.

Long live the spirit of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela!

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Potchefstroom Libraries celebrate Mandela Day

The NWU Libraries (Potchefstroom) reached out to Ons Hulde Old Age Home in honour of Mandela Day.  Ons Hulde is only minutes away from the campus and takes care for about 70 frail and disabled elderly residents with needs on different levels.  They are struggling financially as the cost to take care of residents, is far more than the subsidy they receive.

Due to generous donations from library staff, the library could hand over warm blankets, clothes, wool and toiletries.  Some staff gave their time and knitted blankets and scarves, another staff member baked some high energy biscuits.  On Saturday morning, seven staff members gave new life to a neglected patio by painting cement pots and tables and donating plants.

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This outreach provided the staff with the opportunity to give a little of our time and much of our heart to commemorate Mr Mandela’s legacy.

A huge thank you to all the staff who contributed!
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