My experience with eThekwini Municipality Mobile Library

It is said that being patient conquers all, but my experience of patience is bitter; the waiting for someone else’s success is too much. however, there are people out there who are ready to put aside all their personal burdens and allow you to be their burden until you make it. People tend to criticise librarians as being incompetent and not being helpful, especially when applying to an institution, as well as NSFAS funding. From my experience, I think people who work in libraries are the most accommodating and supportive people I have ever met. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have gotten into any institution or received funding.

When I was doing my matric, I did not know how to even start an online application, but someone from ethekwini Municipal Mobile Library Services assisted me, starting with the online application, as well as helping me apply for funding. She didn’t even criticise or ask why I do not know about applying online, but helped and invested her time in my struggles. Not only did she apply for me at one university, but at various universities. She then applied for funding. She would help me choose career paths and explain everything about the courses offered. She did not stop there; she would even explain the jobs or occupations I could get into by doing the course I had applied for.

If I were to say she wasn’t competent it would be a lie; and saying she was helpful is just an understatement. After applying to the institution and for funding, she always updated me about my status and even created an email address for me. She would constantly one to choose. Never did she throw me under the bus, but helped me choose. I obtained funding and she helped me to register for the course. After that I thought we were done and she could attend to her personal life, but this one was heaven sent. check my mails and give me updates. I got accepted at four different universities and I didn’t know which

I had to apply for accommodation. Instead of letting me apply by myself, she again helped and even called the university because we were not able to apply for residence online. Don’t forget that she is just an assistant librarian, a person who is said to be very rude. how can someone who is incompetent and rude be there for someone she hardly even knows to the very end?

I guess people can never be satisfied with anything you do. From my first year, she would check on me and encourage me to study hard. Even now she still checks up on me from time to time, encouraging me to study even harder because I’m in my third year which is the final year. I’m about to get my Medical health Science degree from Walter Sisulu university and she’s still as invested in me as she was in the beginning.

I always recommend ethekwini Municipal Mobile Library Services to people who have just finished matric for its wealth of worthwhile workers.

Sukoluhle Ndlovu, Medical Science Student, Ladismith