OR Tambo Environmental Education and Narrative Centre opens in Leeupan, Benoni

http://mg.co.za/specialreport/the-or-tambo-precinct-2011

“It is 18 years since OR Tambo died, but he is not forgotten. As a metro, we have had discussions with his family with the aim of exploring ways and means through which his legacy can be best recorded for posterity and for his contributions to receive the recognition deserved.” Mondli Giungubele, Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni

A special pull-out supplment to the Mail and Guardian of 28 October to 3 November 2011 annunced the opening of the OR Tambo Environmental Education and Narrative Centre was in Leeupan, Benoni in late October.

Once completed, the R140-million precinct will include the following:

• The OR Tambo narrative centre that will house an OR Tambo exhibition.
• An environmental centre to conduct environmental education.
• A multi-purpose arts and craft workshop environment where local crafters can produce, exhibit and sell their goods.
• An outdoor amphitheatre for performing artists to showcase their talent.
• A show house (caretaker’s cottage).
• A live viewing area with interpretive panels.
• A classroom and laboratory designed for lectures and hands-on experiments.
• An environment and technology library.
• A one-mile loop nature trail that encompasses a pond, bird-hive enclosure and the grassland area surrounding the centre.

Young people will be taught the history and important facts about the road travelled in South Africa to attain the freedom that is enjoyed today and the specific role that OR Tambo played in leading the country to liberation. Together with the environmental education stakeholders and the department of education, the centre will jointly promote environmental education by:

• Providing teachers with the opportunity to work with their classes in acquiring field techniques which can then be applied to their local environment.
• Assisting schools to plan environmental programmes and field trips.
• Assisting schools to develop their school environmental management plans.
• Providing in-service training.
• Assisting with implementation of school-based environmental programmes.
• Assist in the integration of environmental education within school subjects and the curriculum.

Articles in the special pull out supplment, available online include: a tribute to OR Tambo by the Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni; a feature on the OR Tambo Environmental Education and Narrative Centre, and an article on the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation.

Source: This information in an advertorial supplement published by the Mail and Guardian October 28 to November 3 2011.

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