JCA and JHF Welcomes The Partial Reopening of The Joburg City Library

Johannesburg City Library Reopens Partially After Public Pressure

After five years, the Johannesburg City Library is reopening—thanks to public pressure. JCA and JHF are now pushing for branch reopenings and cost transparency.

The Johannesburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) and the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation (JHF) welcome the partial reopening of the Johannesburg City Library (JCL) on March 21, 2025, after a five-year closure. The full reopening is expected later this year.

The library’s prolonged closure severely impacted students, researchers, and the broader community. Civil action led by JCA and JHF—including a public protest and petition in May 2024—was instrumental in pushing authorities to take action. This advocacy resulted in regular stakeholder meetings where progress was shared, leading to the reopening.

Despite this progress, JCA and JHF are calling for full transparency on repair costs and for authorities to urgently reopen several branch libraries that remain closed, including Louisa Prince Library, Protea North Library, Southdale Library, Brixton Library, and Murray Park Library.

This victory highlights the power of active citizenship in holding leaders accountable. JCA and JHF remain committed to advocating for effective governance, service delivery, and the preservation of Joburg’s heritage sites.

Read about the JCA Joburg City Library Protest and join the movement for a better Joburg.