In July we lost a deeply admired and respected friend and colleague, Jackson Ndlovu. Jackson has been part of the Edward Ndlovu Memorial Library since it was first imagined in 1990. At the time he was working as a library assistant at the National Free Library in Bulawayo, and he offered to help the Trustees develop our project for a library in Gwanda.
Jackson continued to assist, later joining the Board as a Trustee, and finally becoming our full time Director for nearly fifteen years. He was still in that position when he suffered a stroke in July 2020, and was unable to continue working. A year later he gave up his struggle, passing on in July 2021.
Jackson was instrumental in helping to establish the library and developing its various programmes, as well as raising funds from donors. He oversaw the expansion when the new children's wing was built and opened in 2009, at a very difficult time economically. He also promoted the rural schools programme, the study circles, and the building of libraries in some rural communities. He made the library and its programmes known and valued throughout the district and in the wider community of librarians in Matabeleland. We have missed his presence over this past year, but he will always be remembered for his hard work and dedication to all the goals which we wanted to achieve. Our sympathies and condolences go to his wife and family, who were always supportive of his work.
With a group from a local pre-school outside the library
In the new children's corner
While we miss Jackson, the team he built continues to carry on the work. His Deputy, Mrs Vivienne Moyo, has now been appointed as substantive Director