The Nageng Primary School in Vosloorus on the east of Johannesburg is proof that a lot can be achieved using yoghurt tubs.
This after the launch on Thursday of the school’s unique library built with yoghurt tubs.
The structure is a first of its kind in South Africa, as it is constructed from 1-million upcycled yoghurt tubs converted to lightweight bricks.
A the launch, learners were neatly dressed in their school uniform as they ushered guests onto the school premises along educators dressed in coordinating colours.
To keep guests entertained, they sang harmoniously while others rendered educational poems.
The library was awarded to the school as part of NutriDay’s Tubs2Classrooms competition. This is part of Danone’s Impact Journey of diverting waste from landfills.
Head of corporate affairs at Danone, Leanne Kiezer, said the official opening of the library is the company’s investment in sustainability, knowing that the longevity of the structure will have an impact and benefit generations to come.
“Having used sustainable building materials like Envirolite bricks, we are demonstrating that upcycling solutions for plastic waste can be found,” said Kiezer.
“Our hope is that this library will be the first of many innovative sustainable solutions to come.”
Kiezer said the project is a realised goal for the NutriDay Tubs2Classrooms initiative, where learners are not only educated about the importance of recycling but encouraged to contribute to the cause by bringing their yoghurt tubs to designated collection points.
She said about a hundred schools in Gauteng collected yoghurt tubs while industry partnerships did the rest.
It would be remiss if she did not acknowledge the outpouring of support the company received from the inception of the project to the launch.
“Imperial & Motus Community Trust turned an empty structure into a well-equipped functioning space. Pick n Pay School Club provided the platform to educate learners about the importance of recycling.
“The many donors of books, furniture and funding included Rightway Carpentry, Waltons Bidvest, Interwaste, PolyCo, Alpion, Food Safety Hub, and even the community group Firefighter Association, who collectively helped us give the library its finishing touches.”
This is the 72nd fully operational library and resource centre handed over by Imperial & Motus Community.
The trust’s contribution includes over 4 000 new reading books that were covered and catalogued, teaching aids, laptops, a projector, a screen, and furniture.
To sustain the use of the library, the trust has employed a full-time librarian recruited from the community.
Chairman and founding member of Imperial & Motus Community Trust, Abdul Hafiz Mohammad, said the trust is happy to be part of the Danone’s Impact Journey.
“We will ensure that this school, which has never had a library before, becomes a beacon of learning support for the community,” said Mohammad.
“Instilling love of reading at an early age is the key that unlocks the door to lifelong learning. Children are important agents of change and influencing good recycling habits in their families and communities is a starting point for any learning process.”
School principal Leftie Monobe said the library is a reward for the learners for choosing to keep the environment clean.
“Charity begins at home, and you have proven that,” said Monobe.
“This library will benefit our learners, making sure that they go home with more knowledge. Let’s use this library accordingly and purposefully.”
Monobe thanked Danone, noting that he looks forward to more projects initiated by the company to improve the lives of people of Vosloorus.
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