By Belinda Bantham and Ms Dina Mashiyane

In a sincere effort to engage with the community and champion the preservation of libraries, dedicated staff from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus library recently visited the Mahikeng Radio station.

This visit was perfectly timed with the celebration of South African Library Week. The theme for this year was "Libraries fostering social cohesion", which aimed to highlight the essential role libraries play in bringing communities together and promoting harmony.

Maphefo Maake and Kgasane Seemela graced the airwaves with their passion and knowledge. They said libraries are more than just buildings filled with books – they are vibrant hubs of knowledge, education and community development.

During the radio interview, they fervently encouraged the community to see libraries as pillars of knowledge and cultural heritage. They stressed the importance of collective action to protect libraries and addressed the heartbreaking issue of library burnings, which still occur in some areas. They also emphasised the critical role libraries play in uniting people from various socio-economic backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and equity.

The engagement at the Mahikeng Radio station offered a useful platform to spark conversations about the importance of preserving libraries. Through their heartfelt outreach, the NWU Mahikeng library staff touched the hearts of listeners, encouraging them to become passionate advocates for and users of libraries.