700 000 Cricket World Cup Homework Diaries distributed free to SA schools

The ICC Cricket World Cup South Africa 2003 today marked the launch of one the event's most important projects - the Learners' Homework Diary 2003. The mass-produced publication forms part of a commitment to use the world's premier cricket tournament to spread ownership and knowledge among South Africans of all walks of life.

A total of 700 000 of these will be distributed free nationwide to 7000 secondary schools (essentially Grade 12s) as the new school year begins.

This is believed to be the biggest print order for a book yet produced in South Africa.

At a media function in Johannesburg it was announced that the Homework Diary had come about through a partnership involving the SA Post Office Ltd, Penguin Books and the Department of National Education.

The diary is packed with cricket facts and figures, diagrams, photos of top SA players, information on SA's national symbols and geography graphics of the competing nations.

Dr Ali Bacher, executive director of ICC CWC 2003, thanked all those involved. "This could well be the most significant of a number of wonderful projects that are being launched at this very important time for our country, and for international cricket. It is our commitment to spread the game of cricket through all our communities and there is no better way than to embrace the youth of our country than by providing them with a book that will be both educational, motivational and inspirational."

Dr Bacher said he was delighted to announce that the printing contract for this mass publication was awarded to a black empowerment company Shumani Printers who are linked to CTP Printers in Cape Town.

"Black empowerment is a cornerstone of all our endeavours at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003. It is indelibly inscribed in our mission that we will spread ownership and transfer skills at every opportunity. This, I am proud to say, is one of them."

The Minister of Education, Prof Kader Asmal, said the Homework Diary "will go a long way in bolstering our efforts as the Ministry of Education in developing a new generation of learns who embrace the values that are the foundation of our new democracy: tolerance, friendship and fair play for all."

Dr Bacher praised the involvement of the SA Post Office Ltd who have contributed R4 million to the project. "The Post Office has become an important ally, not only through this but through the postage stamps and related products that they are putting out to mark the ICC CWC 2003."

Mr Maanda Manyatshe, CEO of the SA Post Office, said the backing for the Homework Diary was part of a series of projects that the SAPO had initiated to deliver opportunities to young South Africans countrywide.

Alison Lowry, chief executive of Penguin (South Africa), a member of the CWC 2003 Publications Consortium, said: "Penguin are proud to have been in a position to make a contribution to the CWC 2003 organising committee's vision of leaving something of value in the hands of SA's youngsters once the tournament is over. The learners' diary is intended to be both inspirational and aspirational, giving them role models in the cricketers who are showcased in it, as well as providing an educational spin in the information its pages contain, which is presented in an interesting and user-friendly way."