RSG supports their local empathy angel

In a time when the world seems unsure about what to think about libraries there is an ever-increasing need to coordinate innovative marketing initiatives that incorporate all of its positivity and potential.

This resulted in Programmes Librarian for Westonaria Local Municipality Righardt le Roux being identified and interviewed as an Empathy Angel on SABC Radio: Radio Sonder Grense (RSG) during January 2014.

Talking to radio presenter, Martelize Brink, and creator of The Empathy Angels project, Andeline Williams-Pretorius, Righardt highlighted that Westonaria Library works with different stakeholders like ARMSA, UKS, the local Women’s Agricultural Union branch, the Word and Sound platform as well as various publishing houses around South Africa like NB Publishers and LAPA as well as the SABC Information Library and the US Consulate in Johannesburg.

Together with the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Westonaria Library and all other stakeholders work very hard to motivate the youth and uplift the community.

“Making the library a friendly and welcoming place is extremely important when positioning it as a roleplayer in helping to address inequality and a stepping stone to ensure a prosperous society,” said Righardt.

Talking about programs aimed at the youth to draw them into the library as library customers Righardt highlighted the upcoming annual language development programme for grade 7 pupils as well as the launch of WoW (Words of Wisdom) an anthology of mostly youth poets in and around Gauteng, expanding the knowledge economy of youth we had the privilege to work with.

“I am humbled by this RSG nomination,” says Righardt.

“I love my job, it is a dream job. Never a boring moment.

“I get to meet lots of inspiring people like Martelize and Andeline, encouraging all South Africans to work together so the chance of becoming disaffected with it is very slim and this keeps me going.”