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Siyafunda Library Initiative
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Ubuntu Director, Qondakele Sompondo at Kama Primary School's new Siyafunda Library. |
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Siyafunda Library Initiative creates libraries and career guidance centers in the township schools of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Stocked with culturally appropriate books in a variety of South African languages including the local language of Xhosa, these modern facilities provide children and adults with the material resources and guidance they need to cultivate reading, writing, and other marketable skills . Schools use the centers to teach library classes that develop research techniques and encourage literacy, and outside of class time students are encouraged to visit the centers to read and learn in a quiet, safe, child-friendly environment. Since its launch in 2001, Siyafunda (“We are reading”) has created seven township literacy centers that serve over 6,000 children and their larger communities.
Ubuntu’s Siyafunda Libraries also encourage cultural expression, inspiring children to take pride in the traditions and art forms of the Xhosa people. Historically, and especially under Apartheid, the South African educational system did not teach children to study and value traditional African culture. In recognizing this omission Ubuntu libraries not only contain books that tell traditional stories in the local language of Xhosa, but are also decorated by local artists with traditional artwork. Upon completion of the library, each school community hosts a celebration to honor and introduce their new center. These celebrations include traditional speeches, blessings, dance, songs and food. Once the libraries are open schools invite local storytellers to visit and share their craft with the children, complimenting written literature with tales passed by word of mouth through the generations.
Adapting the Siyafunda Library Initiative for high school students, Ubuntu has developed two career guidance centers. Today’s township students have unprecedented access to higher education and employment opportunities, however in order to take advantage of these new opportunities students need information, and guidance. Ubuntu’s career center mentors teach study and research skills, test taking techniques, and explain the process of entering college or trade school, or obtaining a skilled job.
Ubuntu partners with local organizations in order to construct and stock the libraries, and meets regularly with students, teachers, school administrators and the community to incorporate their input at every step. By the time the center is completed, the community has developed a sense of ownership and is ready and able to maintain and manage the new resources.
The Siyafunda Library Initiative enhances township schools with modern libraries and career guidance centers:
- Library Construction has provided children with seven interactive modern libraries at township schools stocked with thousands of new, culturally appropriate books and digital reference tools in a variety of South African languages.
- Teacher Training occurs on an ongoing basis for 140 teachers in library sciences and management.
- Career Center Development at two sites facilitates scholarships, bursaries, internships and job-placement opportunities for matriculating students. A new career center is currently being built at a local public library to provide after-school services.
- Annual Career Week brings 600 students together to learn directly from township-born leaders and role-models from the public and private sectors including presentations by business, development, and government professionals.
Zanele Papu
14 years old
Zanele Papu, a 14 year-old Ubuntu student, never dreamed of entering a writing competition, let alone winning it. While helping compile other students’ poems for submission to a poetry contest, Zanele suddenly picked up a pen and began writing. “I don’t know how it happened,” she said. “I hadn’t written much poetry – I didn’t even know that I could.”
Under the encouragement of Ubuntu Deputy President, Gcobani Zonke, Zanele submitted her work to the Department of Arts and Culture’s poetry contest, “Celebrating 10 Years of Democracy in Poetry.” There were thousands of entries from throughout the Eastern Cape.
To her surprise, Zanele won the contest. “I thought – I’m going to City Hall to see the mayor! I was scared at first, but as I started reading, I really felt the poem take over.” President Mbeki got to enjoy reading Zanele’s powerful words in a special copy presented to him.
Zanele is a Siyafunda Top Reader, an award given to students in the Ubuntu Library Initiative who read the most books.
I Remember Those Days
I remember when days were dark
Blacks beaten like animals
Treated like dogs
Being black was like a curse
Living a life filled with fear
But still fighting for black domination
I remember when the days were dark
People were dying like leaves in winter season
Their souls carried by the wind
Blew them into the thin air
But still waving up "viva to the land of the blacks"
I remember those days
Where hope was on our side
And apartheid was our enemy
Ten years later South Africa
is a democratic country
I not only celebrate the common victories
But the shared struggles too.
I rejoice when I see how united we are
What a diverse country we have
South Africa , a savior to many sad and hopeless people
A mother to the orphans
Home to the homeless
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Annual Report 2005