The Sandile Present Community Library in Upington, once celebrated for its inclusivity and modern resources, has been forced to turn away students and visitors due to an ongoing electricity dispute.
Opened in 2019 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the library was praised for accommodating visually impaired patrons and offering vital services like computers, Wi-Fi, and book lending. However, a payment conflict between the Dawid Kruiper Municipality and the Department of Public Works led to the power being cut, rendering the facility unusable.
Staff have been working from home, and students from local schools and TVET Colleges are left without access to critical resources. The Northern Cape Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture confirmed that after negotiations, the issue has been resolved, and electricity is expected to be restored soon.
The department assures the public that the library will reopen by next Monday. Meanwhile, concerns remain about additional maintenance issues at the facility, which the Public Servants Association has urged the Department of Labor to investigate.
