Old container to be re-opened as Gugulethu library

The old library situated in NY74 has been standing unused for years and suffered weather damage. But community member, Siyanda Maso, says he is planning to reopen it.

“The idea came about after I spoke to a friend of mine about the fact that the Gugulethu library in NY144 is too far from us. I wish I could start a library that is closer to our area. My friend then told me about the container in NY74. I went to check it out, and with some help it can definitely be used as a library again.”

“I am very passionate about helping the community. The library that we have here in Gugulethu is too far from us, and for children walking all that way it can be very dangerous. So far 100 books which consist of biographies and children’s books have been donated by the Citizens Movement,” said Maso.

Vuyelwa Gongxeka from Citizens Movement said the organisation was founded by politician Mamphela Ramphele and launched in April 2012. It encourages citizens to do positive things in their community by taking the initiative instead of waiting for government to act.

“I met Siyanda at a course we were doing and I came across a post on his Facebook page about him starting a library but needing resources,” said Gongxeka. “I told him that there are books that we have that are just sitting there and not being used and we would like to give them to him as we also do book distribution. I was more than willing to help him because what he is doing is a good thing and is what Citizens Movement promotes — literacy.”

Equal Education, who has been at the forefront of campaigning for school libraries, launched a project called The Bookery in 2010 where books can be donated.

Cosmas Mabeya who works at The Bookery said Maso would need strong support from the community and schools in the area to make the library work. “He is more than welcome to come to The Bookery any time. We would be more than happy to donate some books. We mostly deal with school libraries, so most of our books are for schoolchildren, but since he is doing this for the broader community, there are some books that he can get here”.

Maso said he would need as much help as he could get as he felt that the library was a definite need in his community. To help Maso or to donate books you can call him on 073 401 8801 or email him at siyandams [at] gmail.com.