AFTER 20 years serving the Musgrave and the Greater eThekwini community, Pauline’s Book and Media Centre is turning the last page of its Durban chapter as they prepare to shut shop on Friday, July 31.

With shelves and tables slowly emptying as the final books and religious items are packed away, a tearful St Pauline Mowei said, “It’s been an incredible journey all these years but the time has come.”

Declining sales and interest in taking up the vocation forced the Catholic leadership to scale down operations in Durban.

“We are not completely going away, we are moving to Johannesburg which has a much bigger site. It was no longer possible for us to remain in Durban because we were down to three nuns, whereas ideally three should be five of us working here as missionaries.

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“Two would remain in the shop while three go out to the community. It was making it difficult to do our work. So a decision was made for us to return to Joburg and join the mission there, strengthen our numbers.”

Mowei said with young South Africans shying away from becoming nuns, it has left mostly the elderly to push the mission. “Most of the elderly nuns are not South African, so they eventually go back home, leaving a gap that cannot be filled.”

As they packed the last items, including first communion candles, the Holy Bible, and religious magnets and key rings, Mowei said the book and media centre will forever hold fond memories for her.

“This place was more just a book and media store, people would come here for different reasons, spend hours talking to us, which would be what they need at that time instead of a book. At the end of the day we are missionaries,” said Mowei.

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“It is heartbreaking and sad to be going, leaving people behind, but we will not be far and will keep in contact with the friends and family that we have made here.”

She added, “We thank each one of you again for your support, friendship and prayers which enabled us to carry out our mission among you. We look forward to continue serving you from Johannesburg. We hope to come to Durban periodically to continue our mission among schools and parishes, so this is goodbye just for now.”

Pauline’s Book and Media Centre WhatsApp number 076 226 8768 will remain active until they fully join the Johannesburg centre line on 011 622 5195 or 076 519 8039.

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