Cii Press Release September 4, 2012

South African satellite radio broadcaster, Cii Broadcasting (Channel Islam International), has launched its latest social development programme aimed at improving the lives of South Africans.The “Educating the Future” container library project.

Recent news events have unearthed the desperate situation South Africa’s education system finds itself in. Experts, analysts and politicians alike, have all agreed on the importance that education plays in the sustainable development of the country and the world at large.

Cii has therefore launched its “Educating the Future” campaign, an intense drive to see the installation of container libraries at two selected deserving schools in South Africa.

Will this initiative solve South Africa’s education problem?

With 16 000 public schools in the country not having a library, it most certainly won’t; but it will give thousands of young learners passing through the dusty streets of at least two areas the opportunity to readily get hold of one of the most basic elements in the foundation of learning – books.

Cii has teamed up with a developmental partner, Breadline-Africa, an NGO that specialises in the renovation and restructuring of shipping containers turning them into valuable centres for human improvement. Breadline-Africa is also a recognised partner of the Department of Basic Education. It costs between R120 000 and R160 000 to turn one these empty containers into colourful and beautiful library.

These libraries, one to be located in Polokwane in the Limpopo province and the second in Durban in Kwazulu-Natal, also need to be stocked with approximately 5000 books each.

“Cii is honoured to once again present such a noble effort towards the development of South Africa at large. We are proud to able to play a meaningful role in South Africa,” said station manager, Shamsheer Khan.

Tim Smith, the Breadline-Africa director told Cii, “These are usually empty steal containers. You have got to cut windows and doors and you have to provide insulation and a new floor and ceiling as well. Then you have got to put in the shelves and carpet or tiles.”

The libraries turn out to be very attractive reading rooms and possible cocoons for the future leaders of South Africa. “We are putting them in schools that don’t have any library and suddenly they have a facility where there are attractive books, there’s a teacher that can help the children to learn to read and that really opens up a whole new avenue for the children,” Smith added.

The radio station will be running a series on on-air collection drives and activating various community forums across South Africa to pool together the R300 000 and the 10 000 books needed to make this venerable project a success.

“Cii’s listenership extends across South Africa and beyond and, God willing, we are confident we will reach our target once again. We know that our listeners will respond and start various fundraising projects to contribute to the Cii Educating the Future campaign,” said Khan.

For more information contact 011 494 7000 or email projects@ciibroadcasting.com