Johannesburg City Library 'must be opened as a matter of urgency'

Gugs Mhlungu spoke to Chairperson of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, David Fleminger.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below.

The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, in collaboration with the Johannesburg Crisis Alliance, will hold a public protest on Saturday (18 May 2024) calling for the re-opening of the Johannesburg City Library.

Fleminger explains that the library was closed for the COVID lockdown and was briefly re-opened by appointment only.

"In March 2021, the City, through its implementing agency - Johannesburg Development Agency, put up a sign quite suddenly saying that the building was unsafe for human occupation and that it would remain closed indefinitely probably until sometime in the 2025 financial year." 

- David Fleminger, Chairperson of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation 

According to the Johannesburg Development Agency, the decision was made to close the library after structural issues were raised by a preliminary status report.

However, Fleminger says their independent experts found the exact opposite.

"At the heart of this, is the complete closure of the entire facility for such a long time doesn't seem to be necessary."

- David Fleminger, Chairperson of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation 

He stresses that the library is an important facility for the City and its residents.

"These are important institutions...they need to be maintained...libraries are not a luxury, they are not a nice to have, they are essential for the education, the literacy and the mental well being of our nation."

- David Fleminger, Chairperson of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation 

"We think it needs to be open as a matter of urgency not when they feel like it."

- David Fleminger, Chairperson of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation 

Scroll up to listen to the full interview.