A new library will stand at the heart of teaching, learning and reading development at Heathfield Primary School, says principal Branmal Swartz.

He was speaking at the official opening, last Friday, of the Gloriana Cloete Library and Media Centre, which was made possible through the partnership of the Lions Club and the Light of Africa Foundation, a non-profit organisation that supports various urban and rural outreach projects.

The ceremony included poetry, singing and dancing and was attended by the school’s supporters, teachers, pupils, parents and guests.

A room that had been “an empty shell” three weeks ago had been transformed into a media room with a library, a computer lab and a reading corner, Mr Swartz said.

“With the help of Lions and Light of Africa Foundation, we have just under 5 000 books,” he said, but added that the school was aiming for a total of 6000 books and wanted pupils to read functionally and with comprehension by the end of Grade 3.

“Many of the pupils don’t have access to English books at home, and as a commuter school, do not have time to go to the library as well. So our learners are going to take books home.”

The centre is named after retired English teacher Gloriana Cloete, who joined the school when it opened in 1971 and was a guest speaker at the opening ceremony.

“The best things are brought with great suffering,” she said, referring to the time it had taken to refurbish the school.

Despite the school being earmarked for refurbishment 20 years after it opened, that had only happened more than 50 years later and getting the new library off the ground had taken determination, endurance and passion, she said.

The library is the fourth one that the Light of Africa Foundation had helped establish, said Lynne Roscoe, a volunteer for the organisation.

Ward councillor Keith Southgate, himself a former Heathfield Primary pupil, encouraged the pupils to make reading a part of their daily lives as it would open many doors for them.

The idea to assist with the school library was brought to Mark Rossouw of Tokai Lions by Mr Southgate. Mr Rossouw said the 12 clubs of the Lions District 410W Region E, which he chairs, had heeded the call and banded together to assist with the book donations.

“Together the Lions of Athlone, Bergvliet, Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, Fish Hoek, Fish Hoek Deep South, Groote Schuur, Hout Bay, Kirstenbosch, Mitchell's Plain, Sea Point and Tokai, collectively assisted to source over 4 500 books along with a multifunctional printer, which is one of the first things that the principal has requested.

“We are still short of the 6 000 titles that were initially requested because the 6 000 titles would guarantee each learner at the school at least 10 titles. However, I am confident that through this newfound partnership, between the school, the Lions and the Light of Africa Foundation, this target will be reached very soon.”

Heathfield Primary School principal Branmal Swartz addresses the pupils. Picture: Janice Matthews

Grade 3 pupil Isabella Abrahams reads out loud to the school and guests. Picture: Janice Matthews

The library is named after retired English teacher Gloriana Cloete. Picture: supplied

At the ribbon-cutting, from left, are Lynne Roscoe, of the Light of Africa Foundation; Mark Rossouw, of Tokai Lions, ward councillor Keith Southgate and principal Branmal Swartz. Picture: Janice Matthews

Over 12 Lions clubs banded together to assist in collecting over 4 500 books for the school’s library. Picture: Janice Matthews

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