September 2018.

The Honourable Mayor Mzwandile Toto, of Umsobomvu Municipality, cut the ribbon to commemorate the opening of the Ikhwezi Lokusa Primary School Library, funded by Noupoort Wind Farm.

“A school library is a fundamental resource for supporting students’ learning, a key support for teaching staff and is central to learning as well as being a place for encouraging innovation, curiosity, and problem solving,” said Livhuwani Nwachukwu, Economic Development Manager for Noupoort Wind Farm.

What was previously an unused classroom has been renovated and converted into a lively and engaging library that includes all the necessary shelving, cabinets and other furnishings to make it a haven for young learners.  In addition to the renovation and stocking the library with books, the Wind Farm provided a computer centre with new desk top equipment to support learner education.

“The Library and Computer Lab is having a hugely positive and motivating impact on our learners who are now able to explore additional sources of information and research additional material for school projects”, said Ms NG Somi, Principal of Ikhwezi Lokusa Primary School, which includes 400 learners, Grade R to Grade 7.

This is not the first time that Noupoort Wind Farm has assisted local school libraries. In 2015, R30 000’s worth of books was donated to Eureka Primary School.  The books included Grade R – 7 Afrikaans curriculum books, teacher aids and activity books.  This was the first time that the library had received new books since the school was founded almost fifty years ago.

Noupoort Wind Farm supports education within the local community of Noupoort and is particularly dedicated to improving literacy levels.  The Wind Farm supports the belief that literacy is not only the ability to read and write, but rather in a person’s capacity to apply these skills to effectively connect, interpret and discern the intricacies of the world in which they live.

“School libraries make a difference to learners’ understanding, are an important part of the school community and assist in helping to improve literacy,” added Nwachukwu.

The unveiling was auspiciously commemorated on Nelson Mandela’s centenary birthday, celebrated on 18th July 2018.