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To: Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, Ekurhuleni Mayor

Open libraries on Saturdays

  • Open libraries every Saturday
  • Extend operating hours from 1pm to 4pm

Why is this important?

In October 2023, the City of Ekurhuleni opened selected libraries every Saturday to help students during exam season. While this was a great move, opening libraries for four extra Saturdays, each for only five hours, is not enough.

Learners need consistent access to library resources to support their learning throughout the year, especially since many learners in townships face harsh conditions at home that are not conducive to effective studying. In townships, low-income families live in one-room rentals where everyone is trying to go about their day—cooking, watching TV, and making noise. This makes it hard for learners to focus on their homework and study [1].
 
The distractions don’t stop there. With neighbours running businesses from their yards and pavement,  and the constant noise of taxis and weekend parties, studying can feel nearly impossible [1]. Libraries serve as safe spaces where learners study away from turbulent homes and townships [2].

As Lunga Nqadolo from The Bookery points out, “Libraries are not just about books; they’re also spaces for kids to do homework and join reading groups and other activities. This early exposure helps them succeed in school” [3]. Libraries provide students access to a wide range of books, reference materials, research databases, and online resources [4]. After reading rates among Grade 4 learners dropped by at least 18% following the COVID-19 pandemic [5], it’s clear that we need to do more to support learning outside the classroom. 

The Department of Basic Education is using its R48.7 million education infrastructure budget to build new schools and fix infrastructure [3], public libraries must also step up and provide more resources and study spaces for students. Our kids’ futures depend on it.

Let’s push the Mayor of Ekurhuleni and the Divisional Head of Libraries and Information Services to open libraries on Saturdays and extend their hours to 4 PM. Our students deserve this support—let’s work together to make it happen!


References
[1] Assisting Grade 12 learners in township schools to perform optimally: A case study in the Tshwane South District of Gauteng Province, Mahlatini Mbuyisa for Unisa, November 2016.

[2] A library changed my life, William Gumede for University of Witswatersrand, 9 March 2021.

[3] The Education Minister promised all schools would have a library by 29 November - but there’s no chance that deadline will be met, Sonia A. Rao for GroundUp, 21 September 2021.

[4] Assessing the Correlation Between School Resource Utilization and Learners’ Success in South African Public Education: A Case of Limpopo Province, Mmbengeni Victor NetshidzivhanI for International Journal of Social Science Research and Review, January 2024.

[5] Background Report for the 2030 Reading Panel, Nic Spaull, 2023. 
City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa

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