The Democratic Alliance (DA) has asked the Northern Cape MEC of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mangaliso Matika, to urgently ensure that the necessary mechanisms and support are in place for libraries to keep their doors open.
Communities, including learners and job seekers, are suffering due to inadequate intergovernmental engagements which results in rates, taxes, and municipal accounts not being paid. The transfer of properties to departments also does not happen timeously.
The Sandile Present library in Upington was closed to the public for the past four months due to outstanding accounts. It was only re-opened yesterday after assurances from the Northern Department of Roads and Public Works that the outstanding account was settled.
The Sandile Present Library is not an isolated case. The closure of the abandoned and dilapidated Homevale library in Kimberley also remains unresolved. The condition of the library has deteriorated over the past four years with staff and community members not being able to access water and sanitation facilities.
I have been in contact with the Head of Department, Vincent Phiri, who conceded that the Homevale library, which opened its doors in 2016, had to undergo subdivision and that Sol Plaatje municipality would schedule this discussion on the agenda of their next SPELUM meeting.
I have written to MEC Matika, requesting him to analyse the level of support his department provides to libraries and also to secure his commitment to improve assistance provided to libraries to ensure that the doors remain open and accessible to communities.
Although we acknowledge the intervention of the MEC of Roads and Public Works, Fufe Makatong, to allow the Sandile Present library to make the necessary payments to open their doors, proper intergovernmental discussions should be standard practice. Libraries are the heart of literacy and improving the lives of children and young people and their services must not be disrupted by government’s failure to ensure their sustainability.