Exerpt from Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr PZ Jordan, MP, National Assembly

This is an excerpt from the following speech Full speech click here

Budget Vote speech delivered by Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr PZ Jordan, MP, National Assembly

8 June 2007

Madam Speaker
Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers
Honourable members
Ladies and gentlemen

The Ministry of Arts and Culture is directly relevant to understanding that we are as a nation where we come from and where we are going. The legacy of colonialism and apartheid have receded but are still an aspect of the daily lives of many, the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) responsibility includes articulating our vision and our agenda for the realization of a democratic, non-racial society...

Libraries make a qualitative difference by enabling individuals to develop "wings of the mind" and thus transcend their circumstances. The story of Neal Petersen, printed in the OCLC Newsletter, illustrates this point. Petersen became the first black South African yachtsman by learning navigation and boat design from books in the library. He went on to take part in the Around Alone (formerly BOC Challenge) race, becoming the first black man to race solo around the world. Neal Petersen was born disabled. He is now a motivational speaker in California, United States of America (USA).

I want to take this opportunity to salute one brave librarian, Ms Letta Naude, formerly of the Wynberg Public Library now the Head of the Sea Point Library, Cape Town, who risked everything to provide Mr Petersen with access to the knowledge he craved. Because the books on sailing were in the "Whites only" section of the library, she would sneak books out the back door for him, bravely defying the laws of that time. Such little acts of defiance of tyranny can make a world of difference. Neal Petersen's achievements testify to that. They also underscore the importance of libraries in changing people's lives.

* We are making an additional R200 million available for libraries this year...