Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

Heritage and culture Media statements | Media statements

AfriForum appeals to Tshwane Metro to keep libraries open on Saturdays

ByAfriForum 09/05/202509/05/2025

Soundbite: Alana Bailey (English)

Soundbite: Alana Bailey (Afrikaans)

AfriForum has appealed to the Tshwane Metro today to keep libraries in Pretoria and Centurion open on Saturdays. This follows in response to the metro’s notice that libraries will be closed on Saturdays from 10 May 2025.

According to Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, libraries remain an essential source of information and entertainment for a large part of the community who do not have ready access to data and digital or printed books or, for whatever reason are obliged or prefer to read printed books.

“Books and data are very expensive, so people who are well-off can do without library services, but for the most vulnerable in the community, it is their only source of access to publications on fact and fiction and even to connectivity and online resources. For this reason, it is essential for libraries in Pretoria and Centurion to be accessible on weekends,” she explains.

AfriForum conducted an online survey this week to assess the public’s opinion about the planned closures on Saturdays. The majority of respondents are in favour of keeping libraries open. Some of the feedback included:

“Libraries should remain open on weekends because parents who work and children who go to school may only be able to visit libraries then.”
“My mother reads a lot, and I cannot afford to buy her so many books. The library is the only answer for her, and I can only take her on Saturdays.”
“Yes, definitely. Everyone works during the week. Saturdays MUST BE OPEN PLEASE!”

Bailey also expresses concern about libraries nationwide that are struggling due to budget cuts. “They are often unable to buy new publications, which is detrimental to the relevance of libraries. People who cannot afford to buy books themselves should also have the opportunity to peruse the latest publications. Not all books are available digitally, so the excuse that they just have to make plans to find books online does not apply.”

“South Africans already have a reputation for not reading enough. The decrease of library hours and shrinking library collections will only exacerbate the problem,” Bailey says.