State of the Burgersfort library

S. J Mphahlele of the state of Burgersfort library writes:

Burgersfort is hailed as the platinum city in South Africa. Greater Tubatse Municipality is hailed as the wealthiest due to its many minerals from more than 20 mines.

The town library resembles an old apartheid-style clinic or to be exact, a store room which are unused rooms where unwanted materials are stored. The library on the outside is not inviting. It has no flowers, a garden or lawn which shows life, and therefore means there is no life in Tubatse. It has a leaking tap of water which acts as breeding source for mosquitoes.

How can reading be done in an environment where they are a disturbance? To make matters worse, the city fathers of Burgersfort have placed a long LIBSA container in front of the library. At first we thought it was temporary but there has been no indication that the containers will be moved. This means knowledge in Burgersfort is hidden behind containers.

The library on the inside is shocking. There is a slow internet service with only two computers. When readers and learners want to use the internet they must wait in line. It has no air conditioners and makes reading very difficult.

There are good updated books. I empathise with the two librarians. The city fathers and mothers of Greater Tubatse have left the library behind when relocating to the new state-of-the-art civic centre. What does this mean to the community?

They are reminded that they are powerful. They should use their power to help shape the future of Tubatse children by building a library that befits the standard of a platinum city.

A library that will host not only books, but all the resources including music. Lydenburg is a very small town in comparison but it has three libraries. This means the city fathers of Burgersfort must learn from their peers. How can learners and adults be motivated to read when the conditions are not favourable? I am appealing to the hearts of the city powers to act positively.