Corporate Social Review Magazine 1st Quarter 2012 | Page 75

From Small
Beginnings
Mighty Things
Grow

T

he idea to publish local educational magazines
in the indigenous language of learners was
born in 2001. In due course role-players such
as Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB)
and Unions came aboard.
The 2002 launch of Bana Balang, an educational
magazine filled with competitions, articles on everyday youth-related issues, information on future possibilities and curriculum-based learning pages for
the benefit of teachers and learners alike, paved the
way for future magazines written in learners’ mother
tongue. Ithuteng Dipuo Foundation (IDF) was founded
in 2004 to develop the project; and was registered as
a Public Benefit Organization four years later. IDF received a grant from the National Lotteries Distribution
Trust Fund in 2010 to produce and distribute Bana
Balang.
A run of 100,000 copies are distributed to over 800
schools in the North West and Northern Cape. The
magazine hosts an annual Fun Day to bring learners from diverse backgrounds and regions together,
in particular those with limited exposure to extra-mural events outside school. The intention of Fun Day is

to expose participants to talks given by educationists,
and to develop team-building. A recent Fun Day hosted by the IDF was attended by grade 10-12 learners
from schools in Potchefstroom, Hartbeesfontein and
Ventersdorp. Without the generous support of sponsors these events would not be possible. Sponsorships include transportation, supply of refreshments
and meals, and funding.
The Bana Balang photo gallery on FaceBook give a
human face to the good work being done to empower learners to
embark on a successful future.
Also follow the Bana Balang diary
for forthcoming events. Our sister
magazine Bayafunda (distributed
in the Eastern Cape) is planning
the launch their upcoming Fun
Day.

The IDF team

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CORPORATE SOCIAL REVIEW