By OBAKENG MAJE
26 March 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC), Mangaliso Matika said libraries play a crucial role in shaping the future of generations. Matika said this during a celebration of South African Library Week from 17 until 23 March 2025.
He further said the celebration was under the theme: “Libraries for Sustainable Communities.” Matika added that this theme highlights the vital role libraries play in fostering sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience within communities.
“Throughout the week, libraries across the province hosted various activities, including library drives aimed at promoting literacy, environmental awareness, and community engagement.
“Librarians across the Northern Cape remain deeply committed to their profession, even in the face of economic, political, and social challenges impacting the library sector,” he said.
Matika said rapid technological advancements, constrained budgets that limit access to modern resources and inadequate security services have resulted in unfortunate incidents of vandalism—factors beyond the library’s control, as they stem from broader community circumstances. He said despite these challenges, librarians continue to fulfil their essential roles, fostering a culture of reading, promoting literacy, and ensuring communities have access to valuable information.
“Working in collaboration with the Department of Education, trained reading coaches have been deployed to schools, allowing librarians to focus on enhancing the library experience within dedicated library spaces rather than being school-bound.
“This approach ensures that learners engage with books in an environment designed to inspire a lifelong love for reading. The library is an inclusive space that caters to individuals of all ages, from young children to the elderly, offering a diverse range of reading materials to suit everyone’s interests and needs,” said Matika.
He said the Library Week campaign was a resounding success, with several officials, who were not previously library members registering for library cards. Matika said to apply for a library card, individuals must provide a valid South African ID, proof of residence in
the form of a municipal utility bill or an official rental letter—other forms of proof of address are not accepted.
“Looking ahead, the department remains committed to upgrading and maintaining library facilities to sustain their role as vibrant hubs of knowledge. Through these
efforts, libraries will continue to inspire communities and reinforce just how incredible books truly are,” he said.
The Guardian 