Picture: North West MEC for Arts, Sports, Culture and Recreation, Keneetswe Mosenogi
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation has urged the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation to ensure that, there is an embryonic role in various libraries across the province.
According to the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Priscilla Williams, the department has underspent on its capital projects such as construction and maintenance of libraries. Williams further said this is worrisome as only R5.8 million was spent due to delays in implementation by the North West Department of Public Works as an implementing agent.
The committee had an oversight meeting with the North West Department of Arts, Culture and Sports Recreation and Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation over the first Quarter Performance Reports for the 2023/24 financial year and the first and second draft Annual Performance Plans for the 2024/25.
“Both departments should urgently ensure that infrastructure projects are implemented. There have been serious challenges to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in libraries for many years. Our people cannot access Wi-Fi that can assist them with relevant educational information.
“There has been a consistent concern about the type of reading material in libraries. The department must also prioritise modern reading material in our libraries as our children cannot learn from old material. Furthermore, there should be partnerships between Non-Government Organisations (NGOs, institutions of Higher Learning, and communities on the enhancement of learning through usage of our community libraries,” she added.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Keneetswe Mosenogi said: “In the first quarter of the financial year, the department achieved 100% on all 22 indicators. The department overachieved in the number of structures and events in the creative and cultural industries supported, and the number of historical days celebrated.
“In terms of underspending, programme 3 is the lowest which is attributed to the infrastructure projects and library material respectively. It further relates to underspending of R10.1 million on library material and R13.8 million for operations on libraries including maintenance allocation.”
Mosenogi also said in terms of transfers and subsidies, an amount of R19.9 million for transfers to local municipalities could not be processed in the first quarter due to the non-commencement of the financial year of municipalities. She said all the outstanding transfers would be prioritised at the commencement of the second quarter.
“A service provider has been appointed to install internet services in 123 libraries in the province. About 49 libraries have been connected so far as the project is facilitated by SITA as a mandatory transversal service. The department together with publishing houses and local authors have also ensured that we have their books in our libraries,” said Mosenogi.
The Guardian 