Maseipati Tsotsotso
The City of Johannesburg’s Library and Information Services, under the Department of Community Development, recently held a community outreach programme in the Jerusalem informal settlement in Roodepoort.
Organised by the Florida Library, the initiative brought much-needed support to families affected by recent shack fires. Staff donated second-hand clothes, shoes, and blankets to assist those who lost their belongings.
The event, held at the Jerusalem sports grounds on Thursday, 24 July 2025, was attended by children from Zithandwa Day Care in Meadowlands, the ECD Learning Centre in Discovery, and local schools. The Gauteng Department of Health was also present, providing free deworming medication to children.
Florida Library’s Senior Librarian, Ziphozethu Zuka, said the outreach was about more than books. “As librarians, we don’t just provide access to information — we also serve our communities. When we heard about the fire, we felt compelled to act. With the help of creches we work with, we collected donations for children who were hardest hit.
“This was about showing empathy and care. We’re not just guardians of books; we’re also guardians of community spirit,” Zuka said.
Lizanda Bantem, a teacher at the ECD Learning Centre, expressed appreciation for the initiative. “I’m grateful to the creches for their generosity and proud of our team’s commitment to uplifting the community. We hope this effort inspires others to step in and help those in need.”
The outreach forms part of the City’s continued efforts to support vulnerable communities through its libraries.
SOURCED FROM JOBURG WEBSITE.
