The Kimberley Africana Research Library is a historical destination where researchers from all over the world, tourists, and local residents alike visit this fascinating treasure trove, which is rated one of the best of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
It is housed in the old Kimberley Public Library, which dates back to 1887 and is one of Kimberley’s oldest buildings.
Inside, ancient books are stacked on shelves from floor to ceiling, whilst an ornate wrought-iron staircase connects the floors.
To preserve this unique heritage and make it even more attractive to foreign and local visitors, those involved at the library want to change the current, rather barren garden back to what it used to be.
Garden’s golden past
Old photographs, which used to be printed as postcards, depict a lush green garden with benches and shade where people could read, sit and relax.
“The lush garden of the Africana Library became the favourite local gathering place and also the only place with a garden in the central business district,” quotes Bernice Nagel, head of the Africana Library and professional librarian, from a piece written years ago on the garden.
Nagel says their aim is to recreate the garden in such a way that people want to visit the library to experience the garden as well, and even to use it as a backdrop for wedding, matric farewell, or other celebratory photographs.
Although a few volunteers have already become involved and pledged their support, more help is needed – not only to plan the garden and the most suitable plants for the location, but also by donating plants and willing hands.
World-class research facility
She emphasises that the Africana Library is seen as one of the most valuable research facilities in the country, with its research material accessible to researchers from all over the world, either through correspondence or in-person visits.
“A lot of the information in the Africana Library is not available online, and we want to feel proud of the garden as well when researchers, tourists, and local residents visit,” she says, pointing out that the garden is a focal point before entering the library.
According to information she compiled, the collection consists of books, manuscripts, maps, archaeological and geological records, architectural plans, indigenous language documentation, photographs, newspapers and a vast collection of valuable ephemera.
Although the policy of the library has been to collect items that refer to the Northern Cape, Kimberley and its original inhabitants, plants, animals and history, it is home to remarkable Africana.
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This includes an original letter of instruction to Jan van Riebeeck from the Lords of Chamber of Seventeen in Netherlands, and the Tswana Bible printed by Reverend Robert Moffat at the Mission Station in Kuruman from 1853 to 1857.
This is the first-ever printing of the Bible in an African language. It also keeps a wide variety of early books on African languages, dating back to the 1830s.
Furthermore, an impressive special collection which consists of items dating back to the 1400s is also kept in the library. Questinas de Veritates (Questions and Answers) by Thomas Aquinas, printed in Latin in 1475, is the oldest book in the library.
Supporting the cause
The library has also published several fascinating books relating to Kimberley’s history. Funds from the book sales go into maintaining the library.
Visit the Africana Library at 63-65 Du Toitspan Road, write to africana@solplaatje.org.za or dial 053 830 6247 to become involved in recreating the garden.
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