On 1 November 2023, the Unisa KwaZulu Natal  (KZN) Region delegation led by  Xolani Dubazane, Deputy Director: Academic and Technology Support (ATS), was warmly welcomed by Sibongiseni Xulu, Principal of Mbambangwe High School at KwaFilikisi, Bhekulwandle in Amanzimtoti, where they delivered donated books to the school’s library.

Monica Mkhwanazi, Unisa Counselling Student-Mentor (left) with matriculants

Unisa Library, Counselling Unit, and Communications Department collected books throughout the year from various internal and external stakeholders. The visit to the school was an opportunity for Monica Mkhwanazi, a Unisa Student Counselling Mentor who initiated this library project, to meet and wish matriculants good luck for their 2023 final examinations.

Unisa delegation and Mbambangwe High School principal and teachers

The project is a partnership between the university’s regional units, such as the Counselling and Career Development Unit, the Library and the Communications Department. The Mbambangwe High School has previously performed below average in its matric pass rate. However, since Xulu’s appointment, the school has witnessed significant improvement.

Mkhwanazi’s initiative to revive the school’s library started in 2022 after she observed how poorly equipped it was while serving her Work Integrated Learning (WIL) period. She noticed many challenges, including the lack of reading materials and books in the library.

She said: “Although I  had access to the university library, together with fellow WIL candidates deployed at the school, we could not use the school’s library to fulfil the required information since it was poorly equipped.” On the contrary, fluent schools in the neighbouring communities had world-class libraries, making it easier for learners at these schools to access library materials that enabled them to obtain above-average pass rates. This is how she found inspiration to build a fully equipped working library for underprivileged and under-resourced schools like Mbambangwe High School.

Xulu expressed gratitude for the success of the project coordinated by Unisa. “I am excited that the project is a success. This will be a legacy whose impact will remain long after I have retired,” he said.  

(In the middle shaking hands) Xolani Dubazane, Deputy Director: ATS and Sibongiseni Xulu, Principal: Mbambangwe High School

Speaking on behalf of the Unisa regional management, Dubazane said the regional management would like to see more community engagements becoming successful, impactful, and meaningful to the communities. “This project is one of many shining examples of Unisa’s commitment to truly becoming the African university shaping futures in the service of humanity,” he concluded.

*By Siyabonga Seme, Communications Manager and Amanda Mthengi, Communications Intern, KwaZulu-Natal Region