Today, 4 December 2023, South African National Parks (SANParks) officially handed over a fully equipped resource centre and library worth R1.5 million to Hout Bay Secondary School in Hout Bay, as part of SANParks CSI Social Legacy Project which focuses on community development in areas adjacent to the National Parks.
This is according to Johan Taljaard, Region General Manager, Cape who said the project commenced in 2021 and the refurbished resource centre is meant to improve the performance of the learners by helping them to engage better with their schoolwork.
“This investment to the Hout Bay Secondary School has culminated in the construction and equipping of an interactive resource centre and library, creating a comfortable, stimulating and supportive environment, conducive to research, reading and quiet learning for nearly 1000 learners between grades 8 and 12.”
SANParks CSI Social Legacy Projects are implemented as part of SANParks Socio-Economic development strategic objectives. This contributes to the Government’s mandate, as well as the sustainable development goals on socio-development. Through cooperation with national government departments, much-needed facilities and services in communities bordering national parks are provided, which will have a lasting impact on communities.
Taljaard said this donation of this state-of-the-art resource centre is equipped with library books, some of which were sponsored by the Western Cape Department of Arts and Culture, laptops, a data projector, a smart TV, furniture and other resources required to make learning easier.
The Western Cape Department of Education has welcomed this much-needed donation to the school and will maintain the facility for the benefit of current and future learners of the school.
More schools around the country wherein National Parks are situated also received similar facilities linked to the programme in line with SANParks’ vision “A world-class system of sustainable National Park reconnecting and inspiring society”, concluded Taljaard.
Cutting of the ribbon ceremony - Hout Bay
View of the resource centre at Hout Bay Secondary School
View of the Resource Centre at Hout Bay Secondary School
View of the resource centre at Hout Bay Secondary School