The eagerly awaited community library at Dzanani Biaba was officially opened last Tuesday, 23 February.

It was funded by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and, according to the MEC for the department, Ms Nandi Ndalane, the total cost of constructing the library was R12 million.

She stated that the construction period for the library was 12 months, apart from the planning phase. It consists of a circulation area, where thousands of books and other material will be stored, as well as a cataloguing section, a spacious area for reading and an access-control area. The library is user friendly for people with disabilities.

Ndalane said the library would bring important academic services closer to the people. “We want our people, especially young ones, to access the library and stay away from negative influences within society. In this way, some ills of society can be reversed,” she added.

She added that her department also wanted to develop a reading nation. “We want to assist in creating a reading culture, because in that way we can break the people’s hunger for knowledge.”
During the event, pupils received school bags. Nditsheni Murivhami (19), a Grade 12 pupil of Nngweni Secondary School, said that they were very happy that the library was situated at their doorstep. “We thank all the people involved, and there is no doubt that the library will continue to promote literacy in this area.”