New library to bring information closer to people

A library is being built in the Ebeneza area, so that residents don’t have to travel to Port Edward to access information.

The Wild Coast Sun’s general manager, Peter Tshidi revealed the library as its corporate social investment initiative.

Tshidi said through their partnership with Transun, they saw the need to address the issue of residents travelling to Port Edward to access libraries.

“We thought we should close the gap and bring that Port Edward facility closer to our community, so today we are very proud that after speaking about this project for a while the building is starting to show. The partnership we have with all relevant stakeholders will ensure that the project succeeds. We have seen many projects take off but hardly see them being completed and they become a white elephant,” said Tshidi.

Pleading with the Ebeneza community leaders and members, Tshidi said once the library is up and running, everyone needs to make sure that the facility is maintained and managed, and that it serves its intended purpose.
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Municipality welcomed the construction of the library while assuring the Wild Coast Sun that the facility will not turn into a white elephant.

The municipality said it was high time that the area had a library of its own, adding that they are grateful for CSI projects like the one the Wild Coast Sun has brought to the area.

Miss South Africa Natasha Joubert who was also in attendance said as she advocates for education, she was happy to see businesses assist areas that struggle with accessing information.

Meanwhile, Tshidi said education is one of the pillars of the Wild Coast Sun.
He said they believe that they can change the nation by educating people.

“The most powerful weapons one can have is knowledge and skill. We had an education project a few years ago. We started by providing hospitality training and employing unemployed learners through our partnership with the International Hotel School in terms of assisting those who have finished high school and can’t afford to further their tertiary studies We give them the opportunity to learn the hospitality business by taking them on board. In the past two years, we have graduated over 60 employed local people. While doing that we saw the need to assist at a grassroots level, the learner at school who does not have access to study material. They can now go to this library and get the information they need,” he said.

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