Soweto school receives library from SARU

This is part of SARU's corporate social investment (CSI) initiative - Boks for Books - to supply fully-stocked mobile or refurbished libraries to previously disadvantaged schools.

SARU launched the ambitious CSI project in June last year in Durban and has since opened libraries in East London and Pinetown. Boks for Books is SARU's first venture into CSI and was born out of a desire to make a different contribution to South African society. South Africa currently holds approximately 12.3 million learners, although only 8% of these public schools have functional libraries.

Automated system

Springbok centre Juan de Jongh and Springbok Sevens star Seabelo Senatla accompanied SARU president, Oregan Hoskins, to the Boks for Books handover event. Also present was Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Mohamed Enver Surty.

An unused classroom has been refurbished into a fully-functional school library sporting an automated library system, computer, audio visual equipment and a television, as well as a supply of books. This was made possible through the Boks for Books initiative in partnership with ABSA and the non-profit organisation Blue Groove Africa, who are the project roll-out partners.

Deputy Minister Surty applauded SARU for their contribution in education. "As a sporting federation, SARU has not only made us proud with their winning ways on the field and uniting the nation through the successes of the Springboks, but also by contributing to a very worthy cause. I have no doubt that the Boks for Books initiative will make a lasting impression and contribution to many young people's lives across our beautiful country."

Meaningful contribution

Hoskins said he hoped that the library would have a lasting and positive impact not only the school and the learners, but also the surrounding communities. "Literacy is essential for acquiring skills and knowledge, and those who can read are usually in a position to make a very meaningful contribution to the their respective communities," said Hoskins. "I am therefore excited and extremely proud that SARU can, through Boks for Books, make a small but meaningful contribution to the South African society."

"We are committed to enabling change in all communities and therefore would like to thank our partner, the South African Rugby Union, for allowing us to be part of this exciting initiative," said Craig van Niekerk, Absa Group sponsorship manager. "We believe this aligns with our citizenship agenda, where we forge partnerships with all stakeholders and communities, which will ultimately allow our country to prosper. We trust that our combined contribution will go some way to assist in moulding our learners to be leaders of tomorrow while teaching children to embrace the joy of education and the written word."