Johannesburg, 7 July 2026: Eastgate Shopping Centre has helped give the Children's Fun Corner at Bedfordview Library a fresh new look, creating a brighter and more inviting space where young readers can enjoy books, spark their imagination and feel a greater sense of belonging through a community initiative centred on literacy and creativity.

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As part of the refresh, outdated wall art, furniture and structures have been removed and some items restored to create a lighter and more inviting environment.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

Eastgate celebrated the completion of the Children's Fun Corner revamp with a special unveiling at Bedfordview Library, bringing together community leaders, local stakeholders, library staff and invited guests. The event was made even more memorable with a performance by the Reddam School orchestra, creating a fitting soundtrack for the occasion.

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 of the Children’s Fun Corner reading programme, allowing regular attendees to celebrate the milestone in the newly 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.

For more details and regular updates on Eastgate, its stores, events and projects, visit eastgateshops.com or follow Eastgate on social media @eastgateshoppingcentre.

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