The KZN province made sure that the 1Oth edition of the Africa Day Celebration was a massive one and Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture topped it off by officially opening Shayamoya Library which is worth R37,7 million. “Fun fact”, in a space of 5months the department has returned to open a second library in the Greater Kokstad local municipality following the opening of Franklin Modular Library in December 2022.
The Shayamoya Library joins just over 200 public libraries of which 38 of them are mini libraries for the visually impaired. This library is fully stocked with a circulation of books, free internet, gaming for kids, study area, a children’s library with books and toys and many other amenities. “The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture builds libraries to improve the culture of learning in our communities and aims to preserve not only the knowledge and the information, but also to empower the future generations to come. This is part of Vision 2063 of a reading AFRICA,” said Dr Mahlaba during his address.
One is greeted by a beautiful and colourful display of national flags of African countries in front of the stage, accompanied by the sounds of the beating of drums by Burundi dramas, the brass band playing their tune ,various groups dressed in their beautiful attires singing as they ushered in the MEC and his entourage into Riverview Sport field for the celebration.
The 2024 Africa Day is celebrated under the theme, “Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom: Building a Better Africa and a Better World,” This day is celebrated across the African continent it provides an opportunity to celebrate African diversity and success, and to highlight the cultural and economic potential that exists within our continent. In a bid to foster social cohesion and championing the vision of a united Africa its an annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity on 25 May 1963, which today is known as the African Union.
Mahlaba speaking to the scores of people attending the celebration said, “Let us embrace this Africa Day with renewed commitment to building a better Africa and a better world.” Let us honour the legacy of our forebears by continuing to strive for unity, freedom, and prosperity for all”. The festivities were not yet over as Thobekile, Ntencane, Burundi drummers and various local artists got on stage keeping the crowded on their feet.
