The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) secured a victory for residents with the Tshwane Metro’s decision that all libraries in the Metro should once again be open on Saturdays.
Several residents, particularly from the Moot area, complained about libraries being closed on Saturdays.
It would have derailed the Afrikaans 100 celebration on 10 May – an important cultural event that was set to commemorate the 100-year recognition of Afrikaans as an official language – at the Waverley Library.
The Freedom Front Plus immediately sent a formal request to the City Manager, Mr Johann Mettler, highlighting that the instruction for libraries to be closed on Saturdays is unlawful.
Reference was made to the council resolution of 30 September 2021, which approved the standardisation of library hours. According to this resolution, only the Mayoral Committee may approve changes to library hours, not regional heads nor administrative staff.
The Freedom Front Plus emphasised that the Waverley Library, as a Category B library, must be open on Saturdays from 08:30 to 13:00 in terms of the resolution. A request was made for the library to be officially permitted to open on 10 May to allow the commemorative programme featuring six Afrikaans writers to proceed – which it did.
This successful intervention made the celebration possible and the Metro also confirmed that all libraries in Pretoria will be open on Saturdays as before.
The Freedom Front Plus firmly believes that libraries are not just places for keeping books – they are hubs for digital and information literacy, educational support and cultural development.
The party will continue to ensure that the Metro’s decisions are in line with the law and in residents’ best interests.
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