Youth empowered to beautify library
Lucas Matjila was overwhelmed by the response from local youngsters, especially girls.
VISITORS to the newly built Naturena Library are welcomed in the foyer by a great mosaic of national symbols and a mosaic portrait of Nelson Mandela.
Five established artists helped 10 local youngsters to construct the mosaics, which not only beautify the library’s foyer but also demonstrate the significance of the symbols.
Under the watchful eye of visual art guru Lucas Matjila and Mthunzi Ndimande, deputy director of visual art, craft and design at the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, these artists are creating what will be the most beautiful pieces of art in the library.
“According to the White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage, every government building needs to have one per cent dedicated to arts. This building needed an artistic boost, hence these mosaics,” explained Ndimande. “We want this library to be artistic, inviting and friendly to its users. Our themes here are national symbols as well as the celebration of the Nelson Mandela centenary (as he would have been 100 years this year).”
The project was conducted over the school holidays, starting on December 18 and ending on January 12.
“The artists imparted their skills to the 10 local youngsters; they now know how to do mosaics,” noted Ndimande. “Other than books, these youngsters now know how to design, research, develop, work as a team and the technique of mosaic, especially colour scheming.”
Matjila said he was overwhelmed by the response from the local youngsters, especially the girls. “You would think more boys would have come forth, however girls were more interested in mosaics during our consultation with the community,” he said.
Library still closed
Although the Naturena Library was officially opened by Community Development MMC Nonhlanhla Sifumba and Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC Faith Mazibuko on November 3, it is still without water and electricity.
Ayanda Radebe, media relations specialist for the City of Joburg, said the Library and Information Services Directorate is working around the clock to ensure that the library is fully operational.
“The Library and Information Services Directorate apologises for the inconvenience caused by the library closure,” Radebe said. “The City will do its utmost to ensure that the period of closure is kept to a minimum and that Naturena Library is open as soon as possible.”
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