With the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations underway and fourth-term exams approaching for other learners, the Greater Philippi Ephilileyo Safety and Development Forum is appealing to the City of Cape Town to urgently repair Brown’s Farm Library, saying local children have no place to study.

According to the Forum, the library was vandalised during a taxi strike in 2023, prompting local users to seek alternative study locations in the nearby communities.

ALSO READ: Browns Farm residents clean up facilities damaged during taxi strike

Lizwi Nyandu, Forum chair, claimed the facility has been completely ignored by the City, adding that a community hall and other offices that were damaged during the illegal protest have since been repaired.

“We heard that the City is planning to renovate it, but we are not sure when exactly. But whatever the City is planning to do, it must consider our children because they are the ones who are suffering the most. Now they have to cross busy roads like New Eisleben Road going to Philippi Village to study. At least three children have been hit by amaphela [small local taxis] on that road trying to cross it to
Philippi Village,” he explained.

We have learned our lesson”

Nyandu said the library has been closed for three years with no activity. He vowed that the community will take responsibility to protect government facilities against vandalism. Nyandu said they had learned their lesson as a community.

“I believe that the community has seen the importance of having a library in the area because everyone is struggling now. It taught us to take responsibility for our facilities,” he said.

Parent Nolethu Mpinci echoed Nyandu’s call for the library to be reopened. She said her 16-year-old daughter has to walk from Brown’s Farm to Philippi Village or Crossroads Public Library.

I don’t have a choice”

“It is not safe here, but I don’t have a choice. When I have money for taxi fare, I give it to her, but when I don’t, she walks. I wish the City could quickly finish repairing Brown’s Farm Library so that our children can be safe,” said Mpinci.

City responds

Mayco member for community services and Health Francine Higham said an assessment of Brown’s Farm Library has been completed, and a phased programme of repairs and upgrades is underway. She said the first phase, which involved replacing the roof, has been completed, and the second phase is expected to be completed by May next year.

“Phase Two of the construction work includes the completion of all building repair work, electrical works, mechanical infrastructure, fire equipment and internal fittings. This work will also include the installation of CCTV and security alarm systems,” said Higham, adding that work on the second phase is expected to begin at the end of this month.

“The Library and Information Service can confirm that funding has been allocated for the repairs. However, as the process is ongoing, it would be premature to share specific budget figures at this stage,” she said.

Higham said the City must ensure that the facility complies with building regulations and codes before it reopens after Phase Two.

Security measures

Asked what measures the City has put in place to prevent further vandalism and ensure the safety of the facility once repaired, “Higham said the City would continue engaging with the broader community through the ward councillor and explore establishing a Friends of the Library group to broaden community participation.

She said users are advised to visit nearby facilities.