Johannesburg, 7 July 2026: Eastgate Shopping Centre recently supported a refresh of the Children’s Fun Corner at Bedfordview Library, helping to create a brighter, more inspiring and welcoming environment for young readers through a community upliftment initiative focused on literacy, creativity and belonging.
Officially unveiled on Saturday, 4 July, the upgraded space brought together local schools, community stakeholders and library representatives in a combined effort to create a meaningful and lasting impact for children and families who regularly use the library.
A Brighter Space for Young Readers
As part of the refresh, outdated wall art, furniture and structures have been removed and some items restored to create a lighter and more inviting environment. The upgraded Children’s Fun Corner also introduced new seating for children, including colourful chairs and bean bags, alongside a decorative feature element designed to create a dedicated and welcoming identity for the space.
At the heart of the refresh are seven custom-painted canvas murals created by learners from local schools, adding colour, imagination and a sense of community ownership to the library environment. Participating schools included Bedfordview Primary School, Reddam House Bedfordview, St Andrew’s School for Girls, St Benedict’s College and St Luke’s College.
By investing in the Children’s Fun Corner, Eastgate aims to support literacy and early learning by helping create an educational environment where children can read, imagine and engage comfortably.
Celebrating Community and Creativity
To mark the completion of the revamp, Eastgate hosted a small unveiling event at Bedfordview Library attended by community stakeholders, local leadership, library representatives and invited guests. The occasion included a special performance by the Reddam School orchestra, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
The unveiling also coincided with the monthly Children’s Fun Corner event, held on the first Saturday of every month. Hosted by Adv Mona Naidoo and Vis Naidoo, the themed programme invites children and their parents to enjoy a morning of storytelling, learning and creative activities designed to encourage a love of reading. The 4 July event was particularly special as it marked the third birthday celebration of the Children’s Fun Corner reading programme, giving regular attendees the opportunity to celebrate the milestone in the brightly upgraded space.
“Libraries are incredibly important spaces where children can learn, imagine and build a lifelong relationship with reading,” said Saadiyah Kahn, General Manager at Eastgate Shopping Centre. “We wanted to contribute to creating an environment that feels brighter, more welcoming and encourages young readers to spend time discovering the joy of books,” she added.
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