Johannesburg – One of the likely reasons poor reading skills have become a serious setback in the education of children from poor townships in South Africa is the lack of access to libraries.
It is even worse in Orange Farm, where Driezek Library has inexplicably closed and is left in a state of neglect.
The neglected library with overgrown grass on the outside has become an eyesore.
This type of anomaly may be a reason that eight out of 10 South African school children struggle to read by the age of 10.
In 2021, South Africa ranked last out of 57 countries assessed in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study in an international study that tested the reading ability of 400 000 students globally.
But in Orange Farm, not all hope of learning to read for meaning has been lost.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is petitioning the Gauteng Department of Driezek Library in Orange Farm.
Commenting on the matter Tuesday, 3 June 2025, DA MPL and Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation Kingsol Chabalala warned: “The closure of this library is denying Orange Farm residents access to information, educational material, and a space for social interaction, weakening both personal development and community ties”.
Chabalala added: “Residents are frustrated because they must commute to nearby townships to access the library while their own is gathering dust.
“The library construction began on 17 February 2014, with a total cost of over R13 million.
“On 24 May 2024, former Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation MEC Morakane Mosupyoe officially opened the facility.
“However, a year later, it remains inaccessible and of no benefit to the residents of Orange Farm.”
Meanwhile, money is being wasted on security and maintenance, Chabalala lamented.
“The DA has tabled questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to the MEC for Arts and Culture, Matome Chiloane, to determine why this facility is closed to the public and inquire about the amount spent on security and maintenance.
“A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would have ensured that Driezek Library was up and running immediately after its official opening.
“This proactive approach would have prevented unnecessary expenditures on security to avert theft, vandalism, and illegal occupation.”
While waiting for a response from Gauteng Arts and Culture, MEC Matome Chiloane, the DA insists it “will fight for the swift opening of this facility for learning and interaction”.
To support the DA’s cause, please sign the petition here: https://forms.gle/FrPE9CpENfQcrjnv7
