GALLERY and VIDEO: Children tell their original African stories
ZANDSPRUIT – With the help of the Ducere Foundation and Julia Gillard, children have an opportunity to share stories with people all over Africa.
Monash South Africa in Ruimsig has partnered with the Chancellor of the Ducere Foundation, Julia Gillard to bring local African children’s stories to the public. The introduction of the second addition of the South African Ducere African Children’s Stories Collection took place on 8 February at Zandspruit Primary School.
The programme involved the publication of original stories from 10 pupils of Zandspruit Primary School. The Ducere Foundation from Australia published about 25 collections, that are now in circulation across Africa from more than 10 countries with more than 150 000 books distributed to children.
Guest of the event at Zandspruit Primary School were welcomed by the school’s choir, while excited pupils sat in neat rows while they waited for Gillard to arrive. She was Australia’s Prime Minister from 2010 to 2013, but it is because of her passion for education that she now dedicates her life to better the education of children in Africa. “The best part of my time as prime minister was the chance to visit schools in Australia and see the future of the country being made,” said Gillard.
She added that when she was younger, she wanted to be a teacher but she ended up being a prime minister instead.
She told the pupils of the school that they can make a difference in their lives if they work hard. She further said that she was the first woman to take the prime minister role after 26 men. “Girls don’t let anyone tell you that you are not capable,” said Gillard. William Baloyi, a pupil from Zandspruit Primary School, had a chance to read his poem and Levita Smith read a section of her story from the first South African Ducere African Children’s Stories Collection.
Esther Benjamin, CEO of Monash said that they are proud to work alongside Ducere as education in schools is very important. Each pupil of the school was handed a copy of the published book and was eager to page through the books, recognising their fellow pupils’ names.
Details: Monash South Africa, 011 950 4000.
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