Picture: North West for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Keneetswe Mosenogi
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation (ACSR), Keneetswe Mosenogi said as part of their mandate to promote the culture of reading, writing, and learning, her department will be handing over two new libraries on 13 September 2023.
Mosenogi said those who will benefit from this initiative are Raditshane Secondary School in Tlapeng and Southey villages, near Ganyesa. She further said the two libraries are equipped with books, toy library equipment for visually impaired readers, including WIFI for swift access to the internet to assist users and students doing research as well as necessary electronic security systems.
“The libraries are designed to meet the various information needs of the community from toddlers to adults who require sitting and studying. The library service is made possible by the partnership between our department together with the national office and municipalities.
“Raditshane Secondary School was once visited by Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati who was gracious enough to allocate a site for the department to erect a modular library for the community to use. The department encourages a culture of reading and writing in our communities as a lasting legacy in the formally disadvantaged communities,” said Mosenogi.
She added that, her department in partnership with the Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Foundation, will also host the annual pilgrimage in remembrance of the late stalwart icon, Mama Ruth Segomotsi Mompati on 14 September 2023 by visiting her gravesite and laying wreaths as it is her birth date.
Meanwhile, last week, the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation urged the department 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.
The Guardian 