- The Langa Public Library launched a toy library on Friday, 25 October, welcoming over 50 children from nearby educare centres.
- The initiative, supported by the Library and Information Services and the Department of Social Development, provides a safe and playful learning environment with a variety of toys and educational programmes.
- Local ECD leader Thozama Tukulu highlighted the need for more spaces like this to address the shortage of resources for early childhood education in the area.
The delight and joy on the faces of young children at the launch of the toy library at the Langa Public Library on Friday 25 October could not be more self-evident.
More than 50 children from different educare centres in the vicinity attended.
Principal of Khanyisile Educare Centre at Settlers and Langa Early Childhood Development Forum chair Thozama Tukulu described the toy library as a great initiative considering not all the ECDs had enough educational equipment.
She described the library as a safe space for children.
“We are trying to expose them to different environments. They will be able to socialise with each other.”
Challengs
Tukulu described the toy library as child-friendly.
She stated the forum is facing a lot of challenges, including a shortage of land for building crèches.
“Most of the crèches are operating in the houses because there is no land. Even the limited land that is in our areas is not easy to get. There are a lot of procedures that need to be followed when we’re applying to the City.”
Tukulu urged parents to take their children to the crèches instead of leaving them with their uncles or neighbours.
Children’s Librarian Zoleka Mzinyathi said the initiative was organised by Library and Information Services which, with the City’s Department of Social Development, donated toys and other play equipment.
She said the library is open from Monday to Saturday.
“We open on Monday until Thursday from 10:00 to 17:00. On Friday we open from 09:00 to 14:00. And On Saturday it opens from 09:00 until 12:00. We have story times and other relevant programmes. We want them to learn while they are playing.”
Mzinyathi stated there is a timetable for the different crèches to come to the library to avoid chaos.
She also mentioned an initiative, the “1 000 Stories Library Project”, which is a province-wide programme with a focus on promoting reading and literacy.
