The National Library of South Africa (NLSA), as the primary resource and custodian of South Africa’s documentary heritage, promotes creative, effective and efficient universal access to information.
It is unfortunate that due to the #FeesMustFall protest, the NLSA has not been able to fully service our library users. The NLSA’s Pretoria campus remains closed due to the protest action which directly threatened the Library, its collections and library users in the past week.
“The NLSA’s assessment of the situation is that we cannot risk opening the Library under the current situation. We will continue to monitor the situation and will communicate any change of decision, should we be convinced that the threat of damage to the Library has been averted,” Professor Ralebipi-Simela commented.
While the NLSA respects the right to protest we condemn any acts of violence including the burning of the libraries and institutes of higher learning in our country. “When the libraries and institutions of higher learning go up in flames, the knowledge meant to be preserved for posterity is destroyed,” Professor Ralebipi-Simela lamented.
Nelson Mandela once said, “Without education, your children can never really meet the challenges they face. So it's very important to give children education and explain that they should play a role for their country.”
Access to information is a human right.
“The NLSA remains resolute and adamant in our course to provide access to information to the people of South Africa and the world. We believe that information open doors for individuals and the nation in general,” Professor Ralebipi-Simela concluded.
The NLSA wishes all students writing their end-of-year examinations, all of the best.
Enquiries:
Jolene Shirley
Director: Communications, Marketing and Stakeholder Relations
Tel: 021 401 9706
Cell: 083 465 2476
Email: jolene.shirley@nlsa.ac.za
