Kouga – Kouga’s young readers shone brightly in the recent Sarah Baartman District Municipality Library Week competition, clinching both first and second place honours.
Liyabona Singama from Sea Vista secured the top spot in the IsiXhosa reading category, while Jaydan Geswint from Humansdorp proudly claimed second place in Afrikaans reading. Liyabona was awarded a laptop and backpack for the achievement, while Jaydan received a tablet and backpack.
Library Week
Kouga Local Municipality Library Services hosted their Library Week event at the Jeffreys Bay Library on Thursday, 27 February 2025. This gathering brought together libraries across Kouga to celebrate the power of reading and competition.
The top-performing readers went on to represent Kouga Local Municipality in the district-level competition held on 6 March 2025 in Tsitsikamma, hosted by Koukamma Municipality.
“Kouga Libraries Section plays a pivotal role in enhancing library services by promoting a reading culture, increasing library access for all communities, and ensuring the effective dissemination of information,” said Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman.
He further highlighted the theme of the event, “Libraries for Sustainable Communities,” which underscores the critical role libraries play in fostering inclusivity, resilience, and access to education and resources. This aligns with South Africa’s broader goals for sustainable development and equality.
Welcoming Spaces
“Libraries provide welcoming spaces and vital resources, empowering communities through education, social support, and lifelong learning,” he added.
Participants from various libraries in the Sarah Baartman District Municipality competed across different categories, including Reading (Grade 6 in Xhosa, English, and Afrikaans), Word Play (Grade 10), and Book Review (Grade 11 in Afrikaans and isiXhosa).
“I am very proud of our children. They put Kouga’s name on the Sarah Baartman map,” said Bornman.
According to Bornman, libraries play a crucial role in education and ensuring access to information for young people.
“We are in the process of adjusting library operating hours to enhance accessibility, particularly for high school students,” he said.
He further commended the dedication of library staff, highlighting their efforts in creating safe and supportive environments that foster learning and personal development.
read more: Kouga Wins Greenest Municipality Award
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