COVID-19

Library week is celebrated in and by libraries across South Africa, from 17 – 22 March 2014.

Bitou libraries chose to host an annual “Poetry day” which took place at Wittedrift depot on 19 March 2014.  The hostesses were Senior Library Assistant, Ms.Emmarenthia du Preezand DianneMc Clean.  The program Director was Mr SfundoSeti, Library Assistant of Plettenberg Bay Library.  The event was officially opened with a prayer by Pastor Isaac Wildeman, a local resident of Green Valley.

Ms Maryna Johnston welcomed al present (learners, teachers, judges, special guests, members of the public and staff).

This year’s theme is celebrating libraries in 20 years of Democracy.  “Check in @ library”,    “Loer @ by joubiblioteek”,    “Ngenakwithalaleencwadilakho” and the theme serves as an opportunity to focus on celebrating the role of libraries within communities.

Twenty years back many of our Bitou areas did not have a library.  Today we have 6 library services in the Bitou area Kwanokuthula, New Horizons, Plettenberg Bay, Kranshoek, Green Valley and Kurland serving communities with information (books, ICT – computer/Internet access, study support – UNISA bus/partnership).

Library week is also a fine free week, exempting any late library materials during the week.

The program continued by a drama by Lunch Box Theatre – the Last drop! Celebrating “Water week”.  It was enjoyed by all present and the audience, children and adults participated in the role play.  This was an educational lesson to care for the earth and to save water.

The Poetry competition was divided into four categories, Grade 6 – 7, Grade 8 – 10, Grade 11 -12 and South Cape College.  The judges were Mr Virgil Hill and Mike Kantey, Ms Kim Jones (local Poet) and Thalia Cronje.

Price Giving

The overall winners for:

• Grade 6 – 7 was runner up Carlos Barnardo – Crags Primary  and first prize – Vivito September – Crags Primary
• Grade 8 – 10 was runner up  Nomzano Pita – Murray High and first prize Caydon Harris – Wittedrift High
• Grade 11-12   was runner up Hasheendin  Kapp – Plett Secondary and first prize Nolan Jordaan first prize – Wittedrift High
• South Cape College – XolelwaDyantyi

Certificates of participation, created by Branch Librarian, Ms Elrishia Breda were handed to all participants in the Poetry day event.  Librarians from the different libraries handed over the prizes to all winners.

Other entertainment was from Wittedrift community children – a piano solo by S Kriga, Dancers – The Glam Divas, the unbeatable dance group and Wittedrift high School Choir.

The event closed with a word of thanks from the Senior Librarian, Ms Thandi Twani.  She thanked all present especially the community from Wittedrift for hosting the event.  Special thanks also to Ds du Preez who availed the Church hall and assisted the Wittedrift staff with preparations. A vote of thanks has also been passed to all library staff for their contribution.