Durban - Young children in Eshowe have big dreams, to become doctors, news readers and social workers to help their communities.
With a R7 million library being officially opened by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture, those dreams could receive loads of help to turn them into reality.
Schools in the areas have libraries but they don't have adequate books and computer resources for all the learners.
The King DinuZulu Library though comes with a wide array of books - including tertiary education books - DVDs and computers with free Internet access. The library also has a meeting room and another spacious room for studying.
One of the library's frequent visitors is, Nokulunga Mthembu a Grade 11 learner, who attends the King Goodwill Zwelithini High School and dreams of becoming a journalist or news reader.
"I am very nosy. I am always searching for news and I like telling stories. I am very good at interrogating people and getting the truth out of them," said a vibrant Mthembu.
Her second option is to become a social worker because "South Africa has too many orphans that don't get a decent education".
The library serves Mthembu's educational needs well but is also an institution that adds meaning to her life. She is interested in understanding the human mind and has "thousands of questions" she needs answers too.
Mthembu believes books are where she will find such answers and she said reading "A Man of the People by Chinua Achebe" is giving her great insight already.
"I think this library is good and civilised. There are rules here. There is order and processes and I like that. We get so much information for our projects and school work. In school we don't always have access to books - here there are so many novels to choose from," said Mthembu.
Jabu Msane a Grade one teacher at the Baqaque Pimary School said she is delighted with the library. "My own children will make use of it and although we have a few computers at school, I will be referring my learners to this library," said Msane.
Msane accompanied Thandeka Manqele and Pretty Buthelezi both learners from her school to the official opening ceremony.
Manqele said she is happy that she doesn't have to walk a long distance to get to the library and can spend time on Saturday mornings looking for books she enjoys.
"I want to become a doctor so I know how much of reading I will have to do. For now I read a lot about everything," said Manqele.
Buthelezi, who nurtures her aspiration to become a social worker, is concerned about people. She said she understands the importance of studying and it makes her feel good.
"I am so happy, I learn so much from these books. I will be coming here very often. I like cartoons but mainly books about animals because I find them very interesting," said Buthelezi.
Although the library has been operating for the past few months, KZN Arts and Culture MEC Wesizwe Thusi said it was important to officially "hand the library to the rightful owners, the people of Eshowe".
The Department of Arts and Culture in the Umlalazi Municipality supports five libraries at Eshowe, Gingindlovu, King Dinuzulu, Mtunzini and Sunnydale.
"The location of this library is further proof that our government led by His Excellency President Jacob Zuma is indeed committed to bridging the gap between those leaving in urban and rural areas," said Thusi.
The King Dinuzulu Library already has stock of books and other library material to the value to R1.5 million from the Regional Library Depot in Pinetown.
This stock will constantly be refreshed and updated to ensure that it keeps up with the needs of the community.
The MEC added that she was pleased that the library was most busy during the recent public service strike.
