Aquafresh celebrated oral hygiene by handing over a new library to foundation-phase pupils at Kid Maponya Primary School in Kagiso, west of Joburg, on Tuesday.
The initiative is part of the product’s mission to build children’s confidence through good oral care habits while also investing in literacy and learning opportunities that can help shape their futures.
Aquafresh marketing manager Kanyisa Qhutywa said the company wanted to focus on the core value of its product — confidence — and how that can shine through literacy.
“There is a serious problem with literacy in South Africa, especially among children aged six to 10, who are in the foundation phase,” she said.
National Reading Barometer statistics show that by 2026 about 69% of 10-year-olds may struggle to read with understanding, she said. Without intervention, this problem will only get worse. That’s why they wanted to give back in a meaningful way that can change society.
Tasiyo Tladi, a pupil from Kid Maponya Primary School, demonstrates how to brush your teeth at a school function where Aquafresh donated a library in Kagiso, Krugersdorp. (Thapelo Morebudi)
Qhutywa also highlighted the link between oral hygiene and confidence: “Germs start in the mouth. If children don’t have confidence, they are less likely to focus and take their schoolwork seriously. Confidence must come from within and be reflected in their learning.”
Kid Maponya Primary is the only school in Kagiso’s Extension 1 and serves about 900 pupils from grade R to 3.
Deputy principal Rosinah Tsheko said the new library gives hope that pupils will be better supported with their homework, especially as many parents struggle to help their children.
“We have large classes, sometimes with 56 or 57 learners, where the classrooms are meant for 40. In grade R we have 56 learners in a room designed for 33,” she said. “The mobile classrooms aren’t ideal but because every child has the right to learn, we have accepted more learners than we can comfortably accommodate.”
Overcrowding makes it hard for teachers to give each child enough attention and many learners return to school with unfinished homework, she said.
Marry Rapoo, a representative from Gauteng department of education, helps a pupil read at Kid Maponya Primary School moments after the school opened a library that is donated by Aqua-fresh in Kagiso, Krugersdorp. (Thapelo Morebudi)
“I am confident the learners are going to enjoy visiting the library. Our job as the school is to develop a plan on how best to accommodate such a huge number of pupils to have a fair opportunity in education.”
Gauteng school health co-ordinator Mary Rapoo welcomed the partnership. “This project supports the foundation-phase curriculum by teaching children about hygiene and self-care. Confidence and good health go hand-in-hand with doing well in class,” she said.
Many children do not have toothbrushes or toothpaste at home, so this teaching is crucial, Rapoo added.
“It’s about caring for your teeth, your head, your body. We want children to be bright in class and to inspire their friends who cannot always come to school. Healthy teeth lead to a healthy mind.
“The handover was necessary to nurture confidence and healthy learners who can thrive in school and beyond.”
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