Celebrating Noordgesig's history with a prized museum

A new addition to the library has fast become a huge drawcard for this community in Soweto as a place of remembering and healing.

- By Bridget Hilton-Barber

“Since when have you heard of kids spending all their time at the local library?” laughs Lavinia Otto, a social activist, teacher and artist who lives in Noordgesig, one of the oldest coloured communities in Soweto.

Since the library opened its local history museum on 24 September, Heritage Day, the kids have been beating a steady path there and staying for hours and hours.

“The museum has certainly delivered,” says Lavinia. “Young children learn by seeing and remembering and it’s captured their imagination, and also the teenagers.”

The Noordgesig Library is a modern, spacious building with views over the area, which was first settled in the 1950s after forced removals from places like Sophiatown and Vrededorp. It sits alongside a community and sports centre, the local pool and small shops.