The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Library Services in collaboration with Library and Information Studies as well as the Writing Centre participated in a Community Outreach Programme during Mandela Day, 18 July 2018.

During this engagement these DUT departments were reorganizing and setting up the Resource Centre at Zibukezulu High School, in Pietermaritzburg, which is located at the doorstep of Indumiso Site.

One of the DUT DNA strand, which is engagement, was in full force as these DUT departments collectively brought a promise of fresh beginning and provided new opportunities to bring about positive change in the lives of learners and educators at Zibukezulu High School.

According to DUT Sites Libraries, Manager, Siza Radebe, DUT Library management took a deliberate decision a few months ago to adopt one of the neighboring schools at the doorstep of Indumiso teaching site and start off the community outreach project by setting up a media centre.  “The Director: Library Services informed the university’s relevant committee structure and DVC: TL and DVC: RIE. A decision was made to start this project with other close fit partners, i.e. LIS and Writing Centre departments,” said Radebe.

Radebe quoted from the presentation that was given by the Senior Manager: Education Library Information Technology Services (ELITS) at the Library and Information Services of South Africa KZN Seminar at Msunduzi Municipal Library in June 2016 on the state of school libraries in the province.

“KZN had 5859 public schools, only 1409 have libraries, only 1002 with stock, 4450 do not have libraries and this constitute 75%. This collaborative effort, is not a once off but intended to build long lasting relationship and sustainable development that is geared to make meaningful and lasting difference,” said Radede.

Radebe added that he was hopeful that this community outreach project will gain momentum, and get support from other departments within DUT.

Information & Corporate Management. Head of Department, Dr Smangele Moyane spoke about the LIS department’s commitment to provide skills and capacity development for the school to manage the media centre going forward, in order for the project to sustain and leave a legacy. “Today, I am committing that our department will assign two students who will assist and transfer skills to the learners on how to run a library,” she said.

Zibukezulu High School, Principal, Cedric Madlala, on behalf of the school management and governing body expressed his gratitude and shared his excitement about the prosperous long term plans that the project intends to deliver.

Meanwhile, this occasion coincided with an auspicious  event in the hall (Heritage Site) which is located on the premises of the school. This event was attended by the national government Ministers and the KZN Premier. The hall is significant in that it hosted the last gathering that Nelson Mandela addressed before he proceeded to Howick, where he was arrested in 1964.

Pictured: Jubilation for DUT staff together with Zibukezulu High School staff and learners during Mandela Day, 18 July 2018 at Zibukezulu High School in Pietermaritzburg.

Nduduzo Ndlovu