Great excitement surrounded the launch of the Westonaria American Corner at the main library in Westonaria earlier this week.
This is the result of a partnership that started with various negotiations on 16 October last year between the American Embassy and the Westonaria Local Municipality.
A memorandum of understanding between the two parties was signed on 17 March this year and the official opening was done by consul general Christopher Rowan and executive mayor of Westonaria, councillor Tundzi.
Through this partnership the library will provide various new services such as free wifi, free internet access, books – including up to date information about the United States (US) and studying in the US, talks and presentations workshops, book clubs, chess clubs and various informative DVDs.
In his remarks Rowan mentioned that the United States Mission to South Africa always is looking for ways to add value to South Africa’s efforts to develop and support an educational system that will unlock the expertise, innovative spirit and entrepreneurial capacity of South Africans across the country.
He expressed the hope that the Westonaria American Corner will be one of the ways in which the United States Mission puts valuable skills in the hands of young South Africans – skills that can help them to build prosperous, happy and healthy communities.
In closing he quoted Abram Lincoln, “My best friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read”.
Rowan concluded, “So now that these books are yours, start reading”.
During her keynote address, Tundzi thanked the US Embassy and all other partners in this initiative and encouraged Westonaria and all neighbouring communities to take advantage of the resources and programmes the corner has to offer.
