During the recent Cabinet Reaches the People programme held by the Provincial Government of the Northern Cape , The MEC for Sports , Arts and Culture Mr. Lebogang Motlhaping handed over library books to the Carnavon Book Club and Douglas Book Club which was established , as well as sporting equipment to various schools and sports clubs in Carnavon and Douglas.
Addressing the Carnavon Book Club MEC Motlhaping said “ Education is the single most important investment any country can make is in its people and therefore as part of a national effort to embrace the value of reading and the important role it plays in a nation's development , government is in the process of establishing book clubs at all our libraries “.
Therefore as part of the common national effort the Provincial Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will do it’s utmost to create access for a rich and productive life for our youth and all our people.
The MEC also indicated that is why they are embracing the idea of inculcating a culture of reading and library usage by reaching out to the broader community and specifically to the youth in terms of promoting libraries as an agent for change and development. By doing this they are deepening our democracy and helping to develop a people’s culture.
A plea was made to parents and community members to inculcate a culture of reading in our children at a very young age. Reading plays a fundamental role in the cognitive development of our children. There is also no place better that at our libraries where they can have access to all the different types of books ranging from fiction to non-fiction. Reading at the library itself also means that they will not be in the streets of Carnavon and Douglas and therefore becoming vulnerable targets to the criminals of our society.
The sports equipment that was handed over to the Carnavon Primary (Carnavon) , Vaal Oranje Primary and Bongani Primary ( both Douglas ) is part of the development and promotion of the sports plan of Government. Sport plays a crucial role in social cohesion and nation building and therefore it is imperative that schools are equipped with the same sporting equipment and attire in attempt o to ensure that the playing fields are equal.
The principal of Vaal Oranje Primary Ms Bernadine Bostander was extremely thankful for the attire and equipment that they received . She said that Vaal Oranje Primary is situated in the Breipal Community in Douglas. A community which is faced with a situation where not all parents can contribute financially towards sports equipment for the school due to lack of finances in the households. The equipment handed over to the school will not only assist the learners in developing and enhancing there skills but will also have a tremendous positive psychological and moral impact on them . The equipment handed over to the learners are rugby and soccer balls , jerseys ,rugby tackling bags , table tennis boards , javelins , high jump equipment and equipment for indigenous games .
The day ended off with street soccer games which was held at Bongani Primary School . All ages participated in the games and a true spirit of nation building and social cohesion emanated from the games.
Issued by: Conrad Fortune
Media Liaison Officer
Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture Department
Northern Cape
Tell: 053 8314152
Cell: 079 8730679