SA Library Week highlights the power of libraries in shaping communities on Human Rights Day
As we celebrate South African Library Week (17-23 March 2025), the immense value that public libraries bring to communities is once again being highlighted.
Libraries are more than just buildings filled with books, they are spaces of learning, connection, and opportunity. They play a vital role in education, skills development, and social cohesion, providing free access to information that empowers individuals and families alike.
And as we celebrate Human Rights Day, we recognise that literacy and access to knowledge are fundamental human rights. While not explicitly stated as a separate human right in international law, the ability to read and write is a cornerstone of the right to education, which is a universally recognised human right.
The theme of this year’s Human Rights Day, which reflects on justice, equality, and access to fundamental freedoms, aligns closely with the mission of our libraries. By investing in and supporting public libraries, barriers to education can be dismantled, informed citizenship can be promoted, and individuals can be empowered to shape their own futures.
Western Cape Minister for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, encourages everyone in the Western Cape to visit their local library, not just during Library Week but throughout the year. Continued support and celebration of libraries will ensure that they remain vibrant, inclusive spaces that uphold human rights, empower individuals, and strengthen communities.
This week, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS), in partnership with the Matzikama Municipality, launched South African Library Week at the Vanrhynsdorp Town Hall. The event, attended by members of the community, including schoolchildren, senior citizens, and dedicated librarians, celebrated the role of libraries as the heart of communities.
At the launch, Executive Mayor Johann van der Hoven emphasised the importance of libraries in preserving and fostering culture. Chief Director Carol van Wyk highlighted that libraries are dynamic spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to learn, engage, and grow. The Western Cape Provincial Archives also contributed to the celebrations by presenting historical documents to the Vanrhynsdorp public library, reinforcing the role of libraries in preserving shared history.
As part of Library Week, a range of activities are being hosted in libraries across the Western Cape, including in the Matzikama Municipality. These activities bring communities together, encourage a love of reading, and showcase the diverse services that libraries offer.
Minister Ricardo Mackenzie has visited libraries in regions across the Western Cape, witnessing firsthand the incredible work being done to make libraries engaging and accessible for everyone. Minister Mackenzie and his team have been capturing some of the innovative ways libraries are serving their communities for future dissemination; thereby showing the broader impact of public libraries throughout the province.
Media Enquiries:
Naudé van der Merwe
Spokesperson to Minister Ricardo Mackenzie
083 507 8703