Johannesburg – The Lavela Secondary in Soweto is the latest school to get a brand-new library courtesy of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
The fully equipped library with valuable reading material and books, desktops, WIFI, and smartboard opened its doors on Monday, (14 October 2024).
Hyundai Automotive South Africa officials handed over a brand-new library and learning centre to Lavela Secondary School, where about 800 students were present.
This is the 22nd library Hyundai Automotive South Africa has opened in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company in Korea and the DP World Motus Community Trust.
The sponsorship is part of the company’s ongoing corporate social investment programme in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company in Korea and the DP World Motus Community Trust.
School Principal Neo Sithole thanked the sponsors of the library and pledged to “use it effectively and efficiently, and in our purpose as educators to accompany our learners to responsible adulthood, to produce refined and cultured adults.
“The library, the resource centre will contribute to that”.
Gideon Jansen van Rensburg, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa, said it was an honour to stand in front of the students and hand over the library.
“You are deserving recipients, and should all be very proud of yourself,” said Van Rensburg.
“The Hyundai library legacy commemorates our values and corporate investment initiatives.
“We pride ourselves in giving back to the community that lives among us.
“We believe in education as a sustainable way to change lives for the better.”
Van Rensburg said one’s present situation does not have to determine one’s future.
“You are the only person in charge of your future. Educate yourself to become better informed about opportunities,” said Van Rensburg.
“Today is like giving your school an airplane. Some of you will be scared to use it, some of you will just be passengers on the ride.
“But there is an opportunity for everyone to learn to become the pilot on this airplane.
Van Rensburg added: “You need to be able to read with comprehension to understand. The world is evolving; we see it every day in our business.
“Artificial intelligence is taking over. The internet is the place where everybody goes.
“But the basis of all of this is you need to be able to read and understand what you read so when people tell you a story you can verify that it is the truth.”
Hyundai Automotive SA’s library corporate social investment in education started in 2013 with its initiative to create libraries and learning resource centres at schools in previously disadvantaged communities in the south of Gauteng.
Since 2013, 22 libraries have been donated to schools in the region at a total investment cost of about R31,5 million.
The sponsorship includes the salary for a trained librarian for the library and resource centre.
Established in 1967, the Hyundai Motor Company is present in over 200 countries with more than 120 000 employees dedicated to tackling global real-world mobility challenges.
