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All Media                                                                                      10 February 2010

The Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation will officially hand over the Phumula Public Library to the community on Friday, 12 February 2010 as part of its efforts of bringing services closer to the people.

The construction of the library began last year and it cost R3,5 million. The library is equipped with latest titles and ICT infrastructure and it will enable learners more in particular to have a reference centre in their area. Adults can also benefit from the library as it has books that cover various topics.

 The building of the library highlights government’s commitment to rural development and increase access to government programmes by communities. The library has a fulltime Librarian and an assistant.

 The department will also be opening newly build libraries in Msogwaba, Wesselton and Siyabuswa later this month as part of encouraging people of Mpumalanga to read and improve their knowledge as well as bringing services to them.

MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mr Vusi Shongwe says libraries are important tools of development within communities and appealed to people in Phumula to look after the library and not vandalize it.

MEC Shongwe says government is committed to bring services closer to the people and urges communities to make full use of the library and encourages young people to read a lot so that they could have a bright future.

 The department of Human Settlements will also on the same day officially hand over housing projects to deserving beneficiaries who had been living in shacks. The Department built three houses in Tweefontein D for destitute families identified by MEC Madala Masuku during his visit to the area.  Six houses were completed in Kwaggafontein A and three in Kwaggafontein C.  Contractors in the area have also participated by building a house for a family that lived in a mud house.  In all these places beneficiaries have since taken occupation of the houses. 

The joint efforts by the two Departments are in line with government’s approach to integrated service delivery. 

 Details for the handing over of the library and houses are as follows:

 VENUE         : THEMBISILE HANI MUNICIPALITY (Phumula Open Field)

DATE             : 12 FEBRUARY 2010

TIME              : 10:00