22/05/2024
Knysna Municipality's joint endeavors with Unisa Library
Knysna Municipality and Unisa Library commemorated collaborative efforts at the Knysna Town Library on May 6, 2024. The event was graced by a distinguished delegation from the municipality, alongside esteemed Unisa officials representing the Cape Town and George campuses in the Western Cape. Unisa Library takes pride in forging partnerships with municipal libraries, extending invaluable access to a diverse array of library and information services for Unisa students residing far from our regional hubs. These municipal libraries, affectionately termed Public Partner Libraries by Unisa, serve as beacons of knowledge and support for our students. During the gathering, Municipal Manager Ombali Sebola outlined the municipality's vision, strategic objectives, and ongoing initiatives. He emphasized the pivotal role of education in community development and highlighted the municipality's dedication to staff development, particularly through study benefits and incentives. He stressed the importance of empowering the youth through education and critical thinking. He said the most important thing is empowering the youth so that they can be ready for the future, and that “if I am empowering you by giving you a grass-cutting job, I am not empowering you. If I am giving you a tender job, I am not empowering you. You can only empower the youth through their minds.” Dr. Shahieda Jansen shed light on Unisa's transformation from a correspondence to a CODeL university, emphasizing the importance of the signed MoU as a testament to the official agreement between Unisa Library and communities. She expressed Unisa's eagerness to collaborate with municipalities on community development projects and shared her passion for initiatives like the School Belonging initiative. She dove deep into the sea of communication projects that are aimed at breaking the distance. She spoke about how prisons and graveyards are overflowing with men with untapped potential, proving that even in the most unexpected places, stories are waiting to be told. She reflected on her literary journey, from her book "Masculinity meets humanity" to the birth of "Nali ibali lamadoda," the carving out of spaces where men meet and tell their stories. Ms. Cele, one of the speakers also from Unisa, reiterated the profound significance of the partnership relationship, emphasizing that access to knowledge is a fundamental human right. She underscored the vital role of partnership libraries in providing essential services to Unisa students, including administrative support, access to technology, and conducive study spaces. She went on to emphasize that the partnership fosters student success and provides a positive learning experience, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and strengthening this invaluable relationship. The event also provided a platform for Unisa students to share their perspectives on studying at Unisa, further emphasizing the transformative impact of these partnerships on their educational journey. The partnership is dedicated to fostering collaborative efforts and ensuring equitable access to education and resources for all Unisa students, irrespective of their geographical location. Together, we will persist in empowering minds and enriching lives through the transformative power of knowledge and learning.
