By Edith Mogapi
Caption: . ACSR MEC Galarekwe Tlhapi inspecting books in the Tswelelang Community Library.
The doors to Tswelelang Community Library were officially opened on Friday, March 13, just as the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation (ACSR) was celebrating Provincial Human Rights month.
Continuing in the efforts to encourage a culture of reading and writing as a lasting legacy in the formerly-disadvantaged communities, ACSR has given residents of Tswelelang in Wolmaranstad access to a newly-built state-of-the art library with over 4000 books. More books will be added to the collection annually.
Situated at the heart of Tswelelang Township just next to the N12 road, the community library is strategically placed to create easier access to the community of Tswelelang on both sides of the National road.
The library will provide services to the entire community and the seven schools that surround it.
Maquassi Hills Local Municipality has a total of five libraries built by ACSR, namely Wolmaransstad, Kgakala, Leeudoringstad, Makwassie and Lebaleng Library.
Tswelelang Community Library is the sixth library established in the local municipality.
“To the community of Tswelelang, we are here to deliver on a commitment made during the 2025/26 departmental budget speech, to open this library before the financial year end,” said ACSR MEC, Galerekwe Tsotso Tlhapi.
“This reflects the department’s belief in the power of learning, to transform lives and the enduring role of libraries in helping to shape self-sustainable communities,” added.
The 816m² building consists of Activity/study room, ideal for study purposes even when the main library is closed. It also has a children’s library with an outside play area; audio-visual room for people with visual disabilities; reference section; separate computer area for public internet access and a leisure area for juveniles.
The children’s section furniture is designed to provide service that supports Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes and seeks to inculcate a culture of reading starting from a very young age.
Boineelo Primary School principal Ms Mantsopa Makhobotloane welcomed the library and acknowledged the impact it will have to learners and teachers alike.
“One of our high schools in the area received 100% pass rate in the past year, and we want other learners to be encouraged by that. If a child is unable to study at home for reasons beyond their control, then they will have a library to come to,” she said.
“Our kids will never have to worry about assignments, homework, research and job hunting because this library will serve as a safe haven for the entire community.”
The building is fully air-conditioned and has sufficient windows for ventilation and natural light. There is also provision for community members to plug and charge their own electronic portable gadgets in the library.
Library officials will be invited to participate in the annual book selection meetings to select library material that is suitable and needed by the community. Library officials are also allowed to submit special requests at any time if they do not have the item required by a user in their shelves.
The new library received a donation of books from the North West University (NWU) Library and Information Services.