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20 March 2007

Libraries can make us better people

by Raymond Travers

SKUKUZA – “By using libraries, we can all become better people and make South Africa a better country.” This was the message given by the Kruger National Park”s (KNP) Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize at the launch function of the Mpumalanga leg of National Library Week, which took place today (Monday March 19, 2007) in Skukuza.

“During my time at university, I can assure you that 90% was spent in the library and I encourage people to make use of these resources in order to improve themselves,” said Dr Mkhize.

Dr Mkhize was addressing delegates of the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) and KNP staff members on the first day of this event, which will see various events and functions all over Mpumalanga for the whole week between 19 and 23 March 2007.

“It is important for us to host you here as our library, the Stevenson-Hamilton Knowledge Resource Centre, is one of the keys to our growth as a national park, especially seeing there is so much research that happens in the park and it is very difficult to do research without a library,” Dr Mkhize added.

Situated in Skukuza Rest Camp, the Stevenson-Hamilton Knowledge Resource Centre has almost 6 000 books and includes a museum with artefacts from the KNP”s rich history and a vibrant reference library which is used by conservation students, researchers, KNP staff and members of the public for research purposes.
“I believe that the organisers could not have chosen a better place to launch Library Week than here at our library in Skukuza,” concluded Dr Mkhize.

The President of LIASA, Mr Tommy Mathee explained during his key note address that Library Week is the most important event in the LIASA calendar and has the full backing of Arts and Culture Minister, Mr Pallo Jordan.

“It is important that the dates March 20 and 21 falls within Library Week,” explained Mr Mathee, “firstly because South Africa”s first public library in Cape Town was proclaimed on March 20, 1880 and secondly that access to information forms a cornerstone of our basic human rights, which is celebrated on Human Rights Day on March 21.”
Backing up what Dr Mkhize said, Mr Mathee also echoed the importance of libraries in the development of people and the nation.

“We need to get this nation reading as a reader today is a leader tomorrow,” Mr Mathee concluded.
The Skukuza launch will be followed up by a road show at various camps and a story-telling session at Skukuza Primary School on Thursday March 22, 2007.