Soneike High School’s brand new, fully equipped multimedia centre and library—valued at R1 million—was officially handed over on Tuesday 22 April.
The school’s efforts to provide its learners with access to computers for research and academic work have finally been realised, thanks to a generous donation from the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT).
Principal Ronel Baker said a media centre and library had long been a dream.
“Magic happens when vision, passion, perseverance and partnerships come together,” Baker said.
“Education can progress in our country when we have good partners.”
The vision for a school library goes back to 2017 when Baker sent emails “begging and asking” for support, as the school lacked the necessary funding.
A response eventually came from Ahmed Motala of the New Africa Education Foundation (NAEF).
“He was instrumental in making us the first school in the Western Cape to receive mobile libraries,” Baker noted.
In 2017, the school received three mobile library units (movable book collections) sponsored by Novus Holdings in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and NAEF.
Baker highlighted the school’s growth, from 200 learners in 2013 to nearly 900 today, and emphasised that the new media centre is entirely for their benefit.
“The dream is here. Our media centre is up and running. Learners, this is for you. It’s your resource – to help ensure you are ready for university and the world out there.”
Future
SAMCT representative Faried Boltman underscored the importance of introducing children to information technology, and especially that those in disadvantaged communities get access to it.
“Children must know what is happening, and how information technology will shape their future. Being able to undertake online research early on in their school lives will assist learners to be more successful in the higher learning environment. Learners from disadvantaged backgrounds often struggle to adapt to the demands of higher learning, if not exposed to a full range of resources, including computers.”
Boltman added that it is up to organisations like SAMCT to fill the gaps where government support is insufficient.”We are pleased to be able to assist Soneike High School in bringing all the incredible benefits of IT learning to learners here. There’s no doubt that IT education is a vital component of any curriculum. It equips learners with digital literacy, encourages critical thinking and problem-solving, and prepares them for a tech-driven world.”
Founded in 2008 through a partnership between Old Mutual and Al Baraka Bank, the SAMCT focuses on education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, community development and empowerment. “Education gets the most money from us, as the yields are huge. We hope the learners will enjoy the media centre and find value in it,” Boltman said.
Research
Grade 8 learner Kamrun Ali said she became a library monitor as she believes in the power and inclusivity of knowledge. “The library provides us with learning, access to a wide range of books, resources, and even a place to study.”
Lilitha Gwebelemtwini from the school’s media club thanked the SAMCT for this “incredible gift”.
“This new facility will be an invaluable resource for our media club, enabling us to enhance our skills, explore our creativity, and produce high-quality content. The media centre will allow us to develop our photography, videography, writing, and storytelling abilities.
Deputy Principal Leon Hanslo said the facility is already being used to its full capacity. “Our children will have a more equal chance of going to UCT or Stellenbosch University.”
According to Hanslo, the issue isn’t that learners are incapable of competing – it’s that they often don’t know what they are competing against, or how to compete, because they haven’t been shown how to conduct proper research.
“Our current curriculum doesn’t teach learners how to research. That’s something we’re going to address here,” he said, adding that the school will bring in people to assist those applying to university. “Someone will teach them how to do proper research.”
“It’s not just about getting learners into university—it’s about reducing the first-year failure rate. Many learners struggle because they’ve never had the chance to dive deep into academic research.”
Hanslo emphasised that most of the school’s learners do not come from technologically advanced households, where parents can guide them.
“We don’t have that luxury. The school must become that luxury for our children.”
