WHAT IS THE 24 HOUR FAST FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIES?
Equal Education (EE) calls on everyone to join our Fast for School Libraries from 6:00 pm on Thursday 29 July until 6:00 pm on Friday 30 July to show government that all children deserve a quality educationwhich includes properly stocked libraries, managed by librarians.
WHY IS EQUAL EDUCATION FASTING (NOT EATING) FOR 24 HOURS?
As a result of EE’s consistent campaigning a National Policy recognising the need for a library or library stocks in every school was published by government on 11 June 2010. In addition, School Libraries Guidelines have been drafted, but these must be improved to give schools a clear instruction to establish libraries and must be accompanied by a budget allocation. Most importantly, Minimum Norms and Standards for School Infrastructure must be finalised for all schools. All these document will only beimplemented when government has a budget, plan and timetable to ensure that all schools in South Africa have libraries with a librarian. The campaign is working but there is a long way to go!
WHY LIBRARIES?
Education is very unequal in South Africa. Only 8% of schools in South Africa have functional libraries. Libraries play a critical role in building literacy by developing a culture of reading. They provide access to much needed information and resources and are safe places to study. This is a matter of freedom, justice and equality. Everyone has the same rights – rich and poor.
WHY FASTING?
EE has written a dozen letters to government, met with key officials, held numerous marches and delivered the largest education petition since democracy in South Africa. Some are hearing us, but others still need to be convinced. The decision to fast was taken by the EE members themselves and has been approved by the Board.
There is a long history of hunger being a tool of struggle. EE members have studied the history of the Suffragettes in the UK, the student protests in Tiananmen Square in China, and the ongoing struggle for the DREAM Act in the Unites States. We will not be starting a hunger strike, but rather we will be fasting for 24 hours.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
o Eat supper before the Fast on 29 July together with others and then fast until 6:00 pm on 30 July.
o Wear the Fast Sticker on 30 July when you wake up to show that you are fasting.
o Write a letter to the editor of your favourite newspaper to explain why you’re fasting for libaries.
o Get at least 4 other people to join the Fast with you & fast in a group.
o CAPE TOWN: Bring your own food and join EE to begin the fast at 5:30pm on 29 at New Site C Hall, Khayelitsha. Join EE to Break the Fast on 30 July at 5:30 pmoutside the Cape Town International Convention Centre (Convention Square 1 Lower Long Street).
o LIMPOPO: Join EE to begin the Fast in Limpopo on Thursday 29 July at 18:00 hrs; also Break the Fast with EE on 30 July at 18:00 pm – both at the University of Venda, Senate Chamber.
o GAUTENG: Join EE to Break the Fast on 30 July at 5:00 pm at the Constitutional Hill, Conference Room (Old Fort Building and Entrance, Number 1 Kotze Street, Braamfontein).
o Contact us to get materials: Posters, pamphlets & stickers – ilan@equaleducation.org.za .
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HOW CAN YOU GET THIS FORM BACK TO EQUAL EDUCATION?
o Drop it off at EE office: Washington Square, Capital Drive (Near Zola High School and Engen Trek Garage), Thembokwezi, Khayelitsha.
o Drop it off at theEqual Education Bookery: 20 Roeland Street, Cape Town, (021 461 4189.
o Fax to: 086 601 0666.
o Post to: PO Box 40114, Elonwabeni, 7791.
o Call for help: 021 387 0022/3 or 0719034497.
SUPPORT THE FAST AND JOIN EE ON:
Facebook: “24hr Fast for School Libraries”
Mixit: +27 72 333 12343
SCHOOLS
o Invite EE to speak about the Fast at your school to learners or teachers.
o Send us your Form to register your fast and we will send you back Fast Stickers.
PARTNERS MEETING
Interested organisations are encouraged to join us for a partners meeting at Community House, Salt River on Thursday 22 July at 14:30 (Salt River Rd).
Contacts
Cape Town & National
Ilan Strauss
083 473 2080 / 021 387 0022
Gauteng
Mona Niemand
083 407 6047
Johannesburg – wits
Samuel Fenyane
0781913703
Limpopo
Caroline Madzhie
0722938201
Perhaps the defining feature of the success of all of IkamvaYouth’s programmes—including the winter schools – is the tireless and irrepressible efforts of an amazing and diverse group of the volunteers—THANK YOU to everyone who contributed. You are ALL Awesome and we look forward to the rest of the year with renewed energy and excitement. IF you’re looking for true AYOBA-ness then look no further than these Ikamvanites.
On the last day of the winter school we held a talent show and a party. The talent show was a huge hit with learners and volunteers alike; in fact it got everyone up on their feet dancing and singing along to tunes sung by the ikamva ‘stars’ of the moment. The talent show was a powerful platform for learners to express themselves in spaces not usually available in the Ikamva framework. Besides creative talent, the learners also demonstrated insightful commentaries on life through performance poetry and speeches that they gave. This was all followed by a great party with celebratory snacks.
Every Ikamvanite must leave school with a clear plan for the years ahead. For most this means accessing tertiary institutions, bursary opportunities, learnerships, or repeating their matric subjects to improve their marks. Each IkamvaYouth matriculant at the winter school had a one-on-one session identifying their goals for 2011 and how to get there. Allan Gray also presented their bursary scheme to the learners which we hope will serve as a motivating factor for the end of year exams. Ikamvanites also got a chance to tour wits with the Wits Volunteers.
EXCURSIONS
Ikamvanites visited the Sci Bono Discovery Centre based in New Town, Johannesburg. Ikamvanites were thrilled with scientific phenomena brought into life on their guided tour. They attended an intriguing public lecturer on the history of mathematics in Egypt and thoroughly enjoyed the Science of Soccer Exhibition.
Ikamvanites also enjoyed the opportunity to tour the Amalgamated Beverage Industries (ABI) depot in Midrand and were treated to a cinema style setup where refreshments were served and the story of Coca Cola was told to a riveted audience from the very beginnings (it’s hard to imagine life before Coca Cola). A chemical engineer and tour guide entertained with mesmerising facts and trivia and the day ended with a gift pack in hand and memories of an outstanding tour of the biggest Coca Cola plant in the Southern Hemisphere.
Lloyd Lungu