Hout Bay Secondary School Receives R1.5 Million Resource Centre from SANParks in Education Boost
In a significant boost to educational facilities in Hout Bay, South African National Parks (SANParks) has made a landmark contribution by officially handing over a state-of-the-art resource centre and library, valued at R1.5 million, to Hout Bay Secondary School. This generous donation is a part of SANParks’ Community Social Investment (CSI) Social Legacy Project, aimed at uplifting communities surrounding National Parks.
Johan Taljaard, Cape Region General Manager of SANParks, highlighted that the initiative, which began in 2021, is designed to enhance the learning experience of students. The newly refurbished resource centre offers a dynamic and supportive environment, ideal for research, reading, and quiet study. It is equipped to benefit nearly 1000 learners from grades 8 to 12, significantly improving their academic engagement and performance.
The SANParks CSI Social Legacy Projects align with the organization’s socio-economic development strategic objectives. These projects are instrumental in fulfilling the government’s mandate and contribute to the sustainable development goals focused on socio-economic development. By collaborating with national government departments, SANParks ensures the provision of essential facilities and services in communities adjacent to national parks, thereby creating a lasting positive impact.
The resource centre is furnished with an impressive array of amenities, including library books (some donated by the Western Cape Department of Arts and Culture), laptops, a data projector, a smart TV, and comfortable furniture. These tools are crucial in facilitating a more effective learning environment for the students.
The Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) has warmly welcomed this donation and has committed to maintaining the facility, ensuring that both current and future students of Hout Bay Secondary School will benefit from these enhanced educational resources.
Taljaard’s announcement also included the revelation that more schools located near National Parks across the country are set to receive similar facilities. This initiative is in line with SANParks’ vision of a “world-class system of sustainable National Parks reconnecting and inspiring society.” This generous contribution to Hout Bay Secondary School marks just the beginning of a broader effort to enrich education and community development in South Africa.
