Victorian Library Closed 12 Years Draws 150 on Community Tour

After 12 years of locked doors, Gqeberha's Victorian Gothic Main Library welcomed 150 eager visitors for a special tour that proved this historic treasure still holds a special place in people's hearts.

The stunning 1902 building on Govan Mbeki Avenue closed in 2014 due to health and safety concerns. Book lovers, historians, and photographers walked through on May 1, marveling at ornate iron balconies, stained glass windows depicting maritime history, and original woodwork imported from England.

The library desperately needs repairs to its roof, fire sprinklers, and electrical system. A renovation budget of 13.95 million rand exists, but the municipality has redirected library funds elsewhere for six consecutive years with no clear timeline for completion.

Rather than accept defeat, a volunteer group called Main Library Friends has been breathing new life into the shuttered space. Since 2023, they've had special permission to bring cruise ship passengers inside for tours.

"Word spread, because soon we had local residents tagging along with our international tour groups," said Graham Taylor, the group's chairperson. The renewed interest has volunteers excited to showcase one of Gqeberha's greatest historical assets.

Inside, visitors discovered rooms filled with treasures: rare books on woodcut art, old cookbooks, maritime history collections, and newspapers carefully placed over books to protect them from dust. The building's magnificent stained glass dome ceiling and windows etched with words like "Science" reminded everyone of the library's original grand vision.

The Ripple Effect

What started as tours for tourists has sparked something bigger. Local residents now join every tour, rediscovering a landmark many had forgotten. Younger readers browse shelves alongside longtime book lovers, creating connections across generations.

The volunteer movement demonstrates how communities can preserve their heritage even when official timelines stall. By keeping the library's doors open for tours, the Main Library Friends ensure this Gothic gem remains part of Gqeberha's living story rather than fading into memory.

The growing crowds suggest residents won't let bureaucratic delays write the final chapter for their 124-year-old library.