Library Information Service for Westonaria is serious about supporting the development of the youth across the West Rand.
On 17 August the library, together with GDE, ARMSA, Pearson’s Publishing and Oxford University Press provided the space and opportunity for pupils from Madiba C High School, TM Letlhake High School, Randfontein High School, Simunye Secondary School and Westonaria High School, to connect and develop their life and leadership skills and to steer away from a life of crime.
The leadership workshop demonstrated how non-library professionals could be utilised as valuable contributors to the youth development programmes organised by Westonaria Library.
“This programme demonstrates that public libraries can provide important developmental support to youngsters, especially to those pupils from disadvantaged communities. It also shows that we respond to the needs of our users, as this workshop was the direct result of a request from the GEM/BEM committee of TM Letlhake High School in Simunye,” says Programmes librarian, Righardt le Roux.
“This initiative brought knowledge to our community, and is another example of how Westonaria Library explores ways to have a better impact in the community and to build effective relations with other stakeholders, so as to strengthen the community.”
In her keynote address and drawing examples from her own life, Delize Smith, President of ARMSA motivated the pupils to develop their personal and social skills.
The vibrant interactive team session led by Regional Magistrate, Ruby Matthys, in collaboration with Lwazi Gasela and Francesca Matthys, focused on Self Mastery and highlighted the need for young people to do introspection, so as to discover their individual purpose and strengths.
Pupils were sensitised on the relevance of resilience, optimism, honesty and self-control in facing everyday life challenges. In a profound rendition of his own life experience, Lwazi Gasela pointed out to the participants that the positive and meaningful life that he built for himself thus far is a result of his courage and willingness to accept guidance, take the positive out of any life experience and to forge positive relationships with others.
National Co-ordinator for ARMSA, Thelma Simpson, encouraged open communication during her session on ethical leadership.
Westonaria Library wishes to thank ARMSA, Oxford University Press and Pearsons Publishing – none of these with mandated connections to children and youth as schools do – for seeing the value of hosting this programme to provide teens with leadership development opportunities and helping the library to meet the needs of the youth.
