By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Beitbridge Junior Town Clerk Felstar Ngulube, a student at a local high school, has urged her municipality and partners to consider establishing a community library in the border town to support educational study needs of primary and secondary school learners.
Ngulube made the remarks during the Women’s Quota Budget Consultations held at the Municipality of Beitbridge boardroom on Wednesday.
She noted that many young people in the area face challenges accessing basic education, while those who attend school often struggle to find suitable spaces for study and research.
“A community library would be a centre for learning and growth. It would give young people a safe and supportive place to study, read, and learn, while keeping them away from negative influences such as drug and substance abuse,” Ngulube said.
She said creating such spaces would not only promote academic excellence but also help build a stronger and more informed youth community.
“When the young are meaningfully engaged and have access to knowledge, they are less likely to fall into harmful behaviours and more likely to contribute positively to the development of Beitbridge,” she added.
Participants at the meeting applauded Ngulube’s proposal, saying a community library would help bridge the information gap and improve education outcomes in the town.
Beitbridge, one of Zimbabwe’s busiest border towns, currently has no public library, forcing many learners to depend on limited school resources or study under difficult conditions at home.
It is also devoid of play centres for children and offers no recreational centres apart from those established by private players for which fees are to be paid shutting out other classes of the community.
Libraries in urban areas act as crucial community hubs, offering free access to technology, education, and a variety of programs that support social and economic development, public health, and civic engagement.
They provide safe spaces for diverse populations, help job seekers, support entrepreneurs, and bridge the digital divide.