Man gives up bed for children to read
A library is being run from out of a small three room backyard house in Mohlakeng.
The saying goes to not hate small beginnings and Mohlakeng’s Underground library is taking small steps in arts and culture that will turn into strides.
A library is being run in Mohlakeng from out of a small three room backyard house. The library office takes up all of one room with a bed where owner Neo Mathetsa sleeps. Neo has given up his own bed to give children in the community a place to do their homework, learn to read, listen to poetry and do drama.
Neo works full time at the library but is also heavily involved in theatre. He graduated from the Market Theatre Lab and Drama School and is now imparting his knowledge to his community’s youth.
The project started in 2013 and was formally registered in 2015.
How it started is Neo used to teach children to read when he encountered a problem when getting books. He also found that most children could not read at all and decided to open his own library.
Since the inception, the Randfontein Local Municipality (RLM) donated three containers to the library which still need to be refurbished and renovated. In addition to this, the RLM gave them a piece of land to put the containers on.
The library is now in the process of gathering funds to refurbish the containers and have a few sponsors on board already but more are needed to give the children a decent place to read and do their homework.
This month the library will also be celebrating their first birthday as a registered organisation and as a result, they will be having two events in Mohlakeng to celebrate and also gather funds for the refurbishment of their containers.
The events will take place on 30 April at the Mohlakeng Stadium and Orphanage behind the library. More details on the event are yet to be announced.
Want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us an SMS/ WhatsApp message with your name and cellphone number to 079 413 8726.
Familiarise yourself with our WhatsApp service disclaimer.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Roodepoort Record, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
