By Thomo Nkgadima
The R16-million construction of a public library in Praktiseer outside Burgersfort in Limpopo has been abandoned.
Though the structure looks far from completion, the draft April IDP/Budget for 2023/2024 indicates that the project is 80% complete.
That means at least R12-million has been spent on the project, which was supposed to have been finished already.
Many residents have expressed their disappointment, more so that the project was paid for with municipal infrastructure grant (MIG).
A 70-year-old retired University of Limpopo professor and Praktiseer resident, Mpho Matthias Moraba, said: “We are deeply disappointed about lack of service delivery and development in our community. The municipality has no interest in the future of our children.
“How do we progress as people in the rural areas, if our lack of access to basic facilities is extended like this? A public library is required to attain higher standards of education.
“Our matriculants do not always perform well at school. They struggle with English and mathematics. The lack of libraries only makes their learning challenges worse.”
Moraba demanded appropriate steps be taken to make sure the library is completed. He also said if unlawful deeds took place with the construction, then those liable be charged.
“They don’t have the educational interests of our children. It’s been years we’ve been hoping to get a proper library. Libraries are key centres of education. In communities they exist they also offer access to internet,” Moraba said.
“The need for internet is so urgent now that many students from poor families must travel to town and access proper library facilities. Their families use their social grants to pay for their learner’s internet access.
“The situation is dire. Let this library be finished soon. It is the constitutional right of our children for its doors to open.”
Nation that reads is nation that grows
Supporting the professors’s sentiment, is community leader Headman Mamogale.
“A nation that reads is a nation that grows. Libraries are a must. They also help keep young people from the streets. Libraries lay a foundation upon which a society can function and progress. We need to have public facilities to inspire, give hope and drive achievements of the people,” Mamogale said.
Praktiseer, despite being a college town and administrative centre since apartheid days, it has never had community library. The only proper library in the area is the one on campus at Dr CN Phatudi Further Education and Training College.
Thabo Nkosi, a student leader at Dr CN Phatudi, said: “As young people our challenges are set by lack of resources. A library will help us access prescribed books. It will make it easy for needy students to have access to other study material.”
Fetakgomo-Tubatse municipality spokesperson Thabiso Mokoena didn’t respond to questions sent to him and the mayor Eddie Maile.
When pressed for comment Thabiso Rantho, director of Vintha Joint Venture, said: “I think you can contact the municipality for those questions [about the library]. And also ask them how much they have spent on that project because all these questions are just lies.” Rantho later said “otherwise I can respond to this later since I am at work”.
The phone of Kabelo Masha, another director of Vintha, rang unanswered.
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