FOR more than seven years the Mowat Park High School library has been quiet, a haunting memory of the devastating 2017 Durban floods. What was once a hub for academic excellence, the library has remained idle and battered, depriving generations of learners of the vital space to learn and research.

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To mark 60 years of the school, the Mowat Park High family is dedicated to putting a close on this chapter and starting afresh. There will be a special gala dinner fundraiser on November 22 to help raise funds to renovate and reopen the long-abandoned library.

The floods in 2017 destroyed the library, ripping through the ceiling, shattering furniture and also destroying hundreds of books. Koobie Naidoo, teacher at Mowat Park High School, said the repair bill has kept the facility closed ever since, posing persisting challenges to learners and teachers.

“This gala dinner is not merely a fundraiser; it is a chance for our community to come forward and invest in the future of our children. The library is the heart of education, and we are determined to revitalise it,” she said.

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Naidoo said the gala evening hosted in the school hall will feature live music, dancing and an auction of goods donated by local businesses. “All money raised will be immediately channelled towards fixing roofs, replacing furniture, restocking books and equipping the premises with new learning resources,” she said.

Naidoo added the closure of the library has created a ripple effect on learners’ capabilities. “Many assignments are research work, but not all learners have access to the internet or data at home. The library gave the learners a secure place to access knowledge and complete their necessary research. Without it, they’ve been at a huge disadvantage,” said Naidoo.

Supporting the event:

Admission tickets are R500 for an adult, and parents, alumni, businesses and community members are welcome to attend and view or contribute to the restoration process. Anybody who wishes to assist in the project by purchasing a ticket or donating funds can make an online payment:

• Bank: Standard Bank
• Account number: 051657627
• Ref: Gala dinner.
• E-mail proof of payment to secretary@mowat.co.za.

Alternatively, you can call the school 031 469 0425 for more information.

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