We are gratified to note that the City of Johannesburg (COJ) Department of Community Development has released a media statement promising to get the Johannesburg City Library (JCL) partially re-opened within 6 months. We appreciate the authorities’ new-found sense of urgency in getting this invaluable public resource re-opened for the greater good of the inner city, residents, researchers, etc.
We will continue to monitor the progress being made on JCL and look forward to working with all stakeholders to help facilitate the successful conclusion of this important project. We trust that the recent replacement of former Community Development MMC Lubabalo Magwentshu with former mayor (now MMC) Kabelo Gwamanda will not delay or derail the process.
See the media release below, followed by links to various news articles. For previous JHF articles about the JCL saga, click HERE.
- www.dailymaverick.co.za – central-library-shutdown-joburg-blows-r25m-on-roof-repairs-gutters-and-pipes (2024-08-27)
- mg.co.za – johannesburg-city-library-could-open-its-doors-in-six-months (24/08/2024)
- www.news24.com – johannesburg-librarys-costly-refurbishment-stalls-needs-additional-r54m (2024/08/22)
- www.citizen.co.za – millions-wasted-as-joburg-city-library-still-remains-closed
- www.dagauteng.org.za – joburg-city-library-remains-closed-nothing-to-show-for-the-r21-5-million-spent-on-refurbishment (August 2024)
- SABC News – 22 August 2024
- www.dailymaverick.co.za – joburg-is-too-big-to-fail-its-time-to-give-it-back-to-its-people (11/08/2024)
- www.citizen.co.za – there-is-little-to-show-for-the-money-joburg-city-library-renovations-r32-million-over-budget (18/11/2024)
- JDA End-of-Year Update on JCL (11/12/2024)
- www.timeslive.co.za – jhf-optimistic-joburg-city-library-will-partially-reopen-early-next-year (12/12/2024)
- Financial Times (UK) – Johannesburg’s shuttered main library becomes symbol of city in decay (03/01/2025)
- www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette – the-johannesburg-heritage-foundation-is-pleased-about-the-johannesburg-city-librarys-construction-progress (15/01/2025)
- www.citizen.co.za/alberton-record – joburg-city-library-set-for-partial-reopening-in-2025 (20/01/2025)
- joburg.org.za – Revitalising-Joburg-City-Library-A-beacon-of-knowledge-restored (23/01/2025)
- www.iol.co.za – mayor-dada-morero-announces-r50-million-revitalisation-of-joburg-art-gallery-archives (23/01/2025)
- www.news24.com – historical-johannesburg-library-prepares-for-february-reopening (23/01/2025)
- www.dailymaverick.co.za – first-phase-of-refurbished-johannesburg-city-library-set-to-open-soon (23/01/2025)
- www.enca.com – joburg-library-re-open-its-door-soon (23/01/2025)