Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis officially opened the new and improved Khayelitsha library yesterday, following the completion of major restoration work due to severe fire damage in 2024.
The library has undergone a remarkable transformation and now presents a fresh, bright, and welcoming environment for the community. Extensive repairs included the replacement of the roof and ceiling, painting and wall repairs inside and out, new flooring and tiling, refurbishment of public toilets, and upgraded lighting, electrical and network infrastructure.
‘I am so pleased to be here today for the opening of the new, improved Khayelitsha library. I hope this library is a blessing to the community for many years to come, and that many children and residents will use it to check out books, or as a quiet place to study, listen to music, and just a wonderful community space. It is symbolic of the standard of care and service that we want to give to every resident of Cape Town.
‘We firmly believe that every resident, regardless of where they live, is entitled to only the best quality community facilities, such as this library. This is the dignity that we want to give everyone in Cape Town, and I am proud that the residents of Khayelitsha will find it at this library.
‘The City operates 102 libraries across the metro, with more than seven million visits last year and a total library membership of over 253 000 and growing fast. Over the next three years, we plan to invest R227 million in library upgrades, equipment, books and subscriptions,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.
Renovations commenced in October 2025, with the total construction cost for the Khayelitsha Site B Library renovation project amounting to close to R3,1 million.
‘Today is not only about opening a building again, it is about restoring an important service to our broader Khayelitsha community. The library is a beautiful example of how a dignified public service building should look like – a clean, safe and accessible facility, close to where people live, and open to residents of all ages.
‘I hope that the library will once again be a place where children discover reading, where young people prepare for their futures, where residents access opportunity, and where this community continues to gather, learn and grow.
‘We encourage the community to help us protect this valuable facility, and to work with our dedicated staff here. This team took pride in leading the way during construction by packing the entire library collection into approximately 300 boxes containing books, computers, and other library materials to be stored at other libraries. Once the renovations were completed, the team unpacked and shelved all books back into their correct places, which shows their amazing dedication and hard work,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
Besides the new Khayelitsha library, the City recently refurbished libraries in Woodstock, Tafelsig, Langa and the Nazeema Isaacs Library in Khayelitsha.
Other major projects under way include:
- Refurbishment of the Brown’s Farm library following extensive damage in 2023
- Doubling of the size of the Lwandle Library – also known as the Hector Petersen Memorial Library
Site B Library opening hours
The new and improved Khayelitsha Site B library will open its doors to the public on Wednesday, 24 June at 14:00. The library hours will be:
Mondays to Thursdays: 10:00 – 17:00,
Fridays: 11:00 – 16:00
Saturdays from 09:00 – 13:00.
