Makola starts new library to inspire literacy

Ga-Machacha

Tshepo Makola, a local community activist in Ga-Machacha Village outside Marishane, ventured into establishing a community library to improve literacy in his community.

Makola started Lesedi Community Library in an abandoned two-roomed house in the village.

The law student and lover of books, who is regarded as a literacy superhero by his community, said he decided to establish the library after realizing that children in his community were growing up without knowing the joy and love of reading and he decided to do something about it.

The ambition of starting a library started two years ago when I noticed that in my community 80% of the villagers are unable to write or read. My vision is to expand this initiative by building a literacy and learning hub for the community, where both adults and children may be taught computer literacy to study, learn computer skills or simply fill in a form,” he said.

To get his long awaited dream going, Makola organized a fundraising event on Saturday 10 September, held at Mogobela Primary School.

The fundraising event was attended by high profile speakers including Human Rights Lawyer Advocate Shadrack Tebeila, Entrepreneur Sharon Maledimo, Poet and Author Matalane Mokgatla and Chaiphus Mokomane from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

Makola said the fundraising event will assist to contribute towards books, computers and cash for the smooth running of the new learning hub and digital access point for the community.

He encouraged people to come forward to contribute towards the development of the community by handing books and computers, which will service an incredibly tight-knit community and educate children in the village.