Randburg libraries bridge the digital divide in literacy event
Attendees had the opportunity to sign up for free courses in cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing, and project management.
The Randburg and Emmarentia libraries joined forces with Randburg Square to host a digital literacy event at the shopping centre in celebration of South African Library Week.
A spokesperson for the City of Johannesburg, Dudu Lushaba, explained the importance of such initiatives in bridging the digital divide and enhancing access to educational resources. “Events like these demonstrate our commitment to empowering communities with the necessary digital skills to thrive in today’s increasingly digital world.”
The event provided a platform for residents and readers to gather. “The event underscores the vital role of libraries in fostering knowledge and community cohesion while meeting the educational needs of the residents.”
Librarians Matete Lesele and Lindani Sikhakhane from Randburg Library, alongside Njabulo Mdunge from Emmarentia Library, played the important role of guiding attendees through the process of signing up for a variety of free online courses available on the Joburg Libraries’ website, cojelearning.org.za.
These courses, which were generously sponsored by Microsoft and Afrika Tikkun, included Microsoft Office certifications and Google-accredited courses covering cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing, and project management.
Recognising the importance of digital literacy, librarians also took the opportunity to educate attendees on online safety practices, sharing the knowledge needed to protect personal information, identify online threats, and navigate the internet securely.
Lesele reflected on the event’s broader impact, stating, “The event also served as a gateway for individuals to access the library’s resources by signing up for a free membership card.”
This enabled attendees to borrow books, access digital materials, and engage in various library programmes and services.
Lushaba said that the community was thanked for their support. “As a token of appreciation, attendees were treated to complimentary fiction and non-fiction books, catering to diverse literary tastes.”
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