Zuko Komisa

After a prolonged five-year closure, the iconic Johannesburg City Library is set to partially reopen its doors on 21 March 2025, bringing a glimmer of hope to residents and students who have long missed its vital resources.
However, a full reopening is still months away, with the complete restoration expected only in June or July 2025.
The library is a cornerstone of the city’s cultural and educational landscape, housing an impressive 1.5 million books and offering 120 workstations with free Wi-Fi.
It was abruptly shut down in May 2021, following an initial closure during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns.
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services deemed the building unsafe, citing critical fire safety system failures, electrical faults, and water leaks.
The subsequent refurbishment process has been painstakingly slow, leaving the community frustrated and without access to essential resources. In May 2024, the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation (JHF) took to the streets, leading a vocal protest demanding the library’s immediate reopening.
The city has confirmed that the ground floor will be the first phase of reopening, with ongoing work progressing on the upper levels. Residents are hopeful that the planned June or July completion date will be met, finally restoring this crucial civic resource to its former glory
Point of View with Phemelo Motene spoke to Chairperson of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, David Fleminger who said they were eagerly awaiting the full reopening of the library in central Johannesburg towards the middle of this year.
Listen to the full conversation here:
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