Pretoria - Children and staff at Boikanyo Primary School were thrilled as they welcomed the 46664 Foundation and BMW Springbok ambassadors Pierre Spies, Victor Matfield, Chiliboy Ralepelle to the unveiling of a library given to the school in the spirit of Mandela Day.
Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” This statement echoed through the hallways of BMW as it contributed to the 46664 Foundation’s Mandela Day School Library Programme.
The school welcomed the visitors with traditional song and dance, with children playing African drums and singing songs of praise. Just before the official opening, they sang Happy Birthday for Madiba and thanked him for what he had done for the country.
Last year, BMW donated the armoured BMW 7 Series vehicle that had been given to Mandela during his 46664 HIV/Aids campaign between 2004 and 2009.
The vehicle was fully restored and sold at auction. The proceeds went to the library for the Boikanyo Primary School in Ga-Rankuwa and another, to be unveiled on Wednesday, for the Refitlhile-Pele Primary School in Soshanguve.
Robert Coutts, chief executive of the 46664 BANGLE initiative, said this was the 27th library that had been donated. This had been no easy feat as the libraries each cost about R190 000. Each of the libraries is stocked with about 2 500 books. The libraries contain books for every school subject for every grade.
All pupils from Grade 1 to Grade 7 will have literature that suits them. Coutts also said it was important to stock inspirational books.
Regina Thekiso, the school’s principal, was overjoyed with the contribution.
“This is a blessing to us. Today we see a dream come true,” Thekiso said. “This (the library) is one of the things we have been dreaming about.”
Thekiso went on to thank everyone, including Madiba.
“We are here today because of Tata. He fought for us and struggled so that we may now have education and freedom. Now we keep him in our prayers and we sustain his legacy.”
Ralepelle spoke to the children, giving a moving speech about hard work and education.
“I’m not here for the adults, I am here for the kids,” he said. He urged them to work hard and not to give up on their dreams.
The Springbok hooker also thought that this was the perfect way to give back to the community before Mandela Day.
Spies said it was good to be a part of the event, adding that one didn’t always get the opportunity to give back to the people the way Mandela did. Providing the library was just the type of thing that Mandela would have done.
“This represents everything Mandela is. He has set an example and given us a legacy and it is important that we follow this. We should get our hands dirty and help those less fortunate than us,” he said.
Guy Kilfoil, the general manager of communications and public affairs at BMW South Africa, was pleased to be adding to the Mandela Day legacy. He said Mandela had a direct hand in the contribution as it had been the proceeds from his car that paid for the library.
“I urge you (pupils) to read as much as you can. Knowledge cannot be taken away from you. Education is how you will build your future.”
Pretoria News