“Inculcating a culture of reading among the populace could go a long way in addressing socio-economic challenges faced by the country,” said KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mrs Weziwe Thusi.
Speaking at the official opening of the Msinga library, northern KwaZulu-Natal earlier today, MEC Thusi said the building of the library was government’s response to high levels of illiteracy and underdevelopment in the area.
“As government we want to ensure that people receive services they are supposed to receive no matter where they stay because we believe all people are equal. This administration focuses strongly on rural development and programmes such as the one we are launching today talk directly to our strategy of uplifting the lives of poor people from rural areas,” said Thusi.
The Department of Arts and Culture funded the library to the tune of R6,300 000. The library comprises a children’s section, a section dedicated to students at institutions of higher learning, a section that caters for newly literate adults, an internet café with free internet access and a person to assist members of the community, newspapers, magazines, CD’s, DVD’s and audio books.
As the area is subject to low rainfall seasons, the library roof harvests rainwater into four underground tanks and then pumped under pressure for the toilets. The system relies primarily on rainwater, but should this be insufficient, the municipal supply kicks in.
Outside the library in a safe enclosed area is a children’s playground with a trampoline, jungle gym and swings. The building is dominated by a central double volume foyer clad with local stone in a conical shape.
This library also forms part of the “cybercadet project” which is a programme of installing internet cafes in libraries.
A total of 60 job opportunities were created during the construction of the library. For its day to day running, a full time qualified librarian and a full time assistant have been employed. In addition, two part time staff members have been employed.
MEC Thusi then urged locals to ensure that the library was well looked after so that it would continue to be of assistance to them.
For more information contact:
Vukani Mbhele
Tel: 033 264 3466
Cell: 083 307 8964
Issued by: Department of Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
20 November 2009
