AFTER re-allocating R7.6m that was earmarked to upgrade the Amanzimtoti Library, the eThekwini Municipality has facilitated public access to the books that have been in storage for about four years.

Ward 97 councillor and executive committee member André Beetge, said that despite it being only three months into the new financial year, eThekwini’s Parks, Recreation and Culture (PRC) unit already started re-allocating the budget towards what it described as ‘priority projects’.

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“With an annual capital budget of more than R185m, PRC recently tabled a report reprioritising R29.4m, which includes R7.6m originally earmarked to replace the roof and upgrade Amanzimtoti Library,” he said.

This amount, among others, includes R3m towards the installation of the statues of Nelson Mandela and OR Tambo within the city.

In the September 30 council meeting, the DA abstained and expressed dissatisfaction on the matter.

“It constituted poor planning when officials were well aware that there were priorities but instead, created expectation during their annual budget roadshows, only to be followed by disappointment when the funding was soon moved around under the pretence of priority,” Beetge said.

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He indicated that the ‘patchwork philosophy’ was a repeated flaw of the administration and one of the direct reasons why infrastructure was falling apart across the city.

“With no prospect of a new roof for the Amanzimtoti Library in the current financial year, officials have taken to facilitate library services out of the activities room located to the left of the original library entrance, while an additional archive of books will be placed within the unaffected section of the library,” said Beetge.

Although there is currently no internet access to users, books can be taken and copies can be made from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 and Saturdays from 08:30 to 12:30.

Beetge has also assisted with the extension of the library lease at Galleria Mall to sustain library access, which includes free Wi-Fi, use of computers, a study area, photocopies, books and more, to residents of the larger Amanzimtoti area.

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