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Mthabisi Tshuma, Showbiz Correspondent

BUBI district-based arts group Sailor’s Hope Theatre received a major boost last Tuesday for their educational centre, Qhube Resource Centre after they received books from Baobab Educational Assessment Centre.

Veteran arts administrator, Sihlangu Dlodlo, the brains behind the arts group and resource centre, said as a former teacher, he wants to improve the livelihoods of the rural children who have little access to learning material.

“I’m an artiste and teacher by training. Through the group, we do drama and we have also established a resource centre where kids do their homework and have group discussions as they prepare for examinations,” said Dlodlo.

He said the resource centre is temporarily accommodated at his homestead where there’re internet facilities.

Dlodlo said following the donation of books, they intend to open a library.

“We received sets of Mathematics, Science, English and Geography textbooks for Form 1, 2, 3 and 4. Each form has four copies. There are also primary school textbooks.

“The children will be borrowing the books from the library for use at home,” said Dlodlo.

He said when he was at Amakhosi Theatre, he championed the use of theatre in education as they had a programme where children could go to the cultural centre for theatre and also find teachers to assist them with their school work.

“It’s this background that led to the establishment of the Qhube Resource Centre. Apart from the books and internet, Qhube Resource Centre offers educational trips,” said Dlodlo.

Bubi District Ward 14 councillor Cookie Moyo who received the consignment of the books on behalf of the centre, said the assistance has come at the right time when children need more resources to enable them to work from home.

“We appreciate the donation, especially during this Covid-19 era. The continued closure of schools has a negative impact on the rural children who have no access to online learning” said Clr Moyo.

Baobab Educational Assessment Centre remedial therapist Dr Themba Nyoni who conducted literacy assessment of the kids, said their mandate is to improve literacy in rural areas.

“Dlodlo shared the idea of what he is doing with the kids at Sailors Hope and it inspired us. As an institution that works with learners, we want to enhance his efforts. We’re not only sharing the books we have, but we’re going a step further and working with the kids by carrying out literacy assessments”. -@mthabisi_mthire.