The Govan Mbeki Local Municipality on behalf of the Gert Sibande District Municipality received two library busses during a Human Rights Day celebration, on led by the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation (DCSR) at Embalenhle Hall.
The provincial MEC for Sport, Leah Mabuza, said: “The community of Gert Sibande region has vast rural areas and we believe that these busses are going to assist the children and community members. The mobile libraries would run on a schedule to go into those deep rural areas where there are no libraries. The busses also have lifts to accommodate people with disabilities.” Library Week was commemorated from 17 to 23 March 17.
After the handover, guests and attendees went on a walkabout and were shown how people with disabilities could easily access the busses. During her keynote address, Mabuza emphasised the importance of respecting each other, saying “everyone has the right to live and be respected, irrespective of their background or circumstances.”
The DCSR partnered with the Human Rights Commission to raise awareness of human rights, divided into two separate events. The first was held at Kgotsong Community Hall where the Department donated sports equipment to elderly people and seniors took part in aerobics. A visit to Ikusasalethu Secondary School (ISS) saw learners being reminded of their responsibilities as part of fundamental rights while books were donated to the school’s library to encourage a culture of learning.
A talk by a convicted inmate, warned learners to be responsible citizens and not get into trouble and the day’s programme ended with various cultural performances by learners of ISS.
