South African Library of Parliament - Special Services
Background
The South African Parliament, based in Cape Town, is one such institution where laws that govern all the South African Citizens, are made. It boasts of an "Information Centre" which acts as a support system in terms of providing the relevant up to date information to the Members of Parliament, so that they are able to make informed decisions which affect all the citizens of the country.
It is within this Information Centre, that one is able to access specialised services from the Special Services Sub-unit. Special Services consists of very much valuable and rare collection. The collection ranges from historical documents dating as far back as the seventeenth century, and that includes Maps, Photographs, Manuscripts, Original works by famous Artists like Thomas Baines, Francois Le Vaillant, etc. that are not available anywhere in the whole world. It is because of the nature of this collection, that this sub-unit receives Researchers from all over the globe. This makes it a "sought after" reference destination due to the wealth of information that it possesses.
Recently South Africa was honoured to host the Pan African Parliament, based in Johannesburg, the economic "hub" of Africa. Getrude Mongella was elected as the first President of the Pan African Parliament. Although the Parliament does not yet have full legislative powers, it is expected to do so in five years time, when its members will be elected directly by full universal suffrage. In the first five years, the Parliament will only have full consultative and advisory powers. Eventually, it will become the AU's law-making arm. It is within this context, that Special Services of the Library of Parliament, has also embarked at collection development that is looking at the AU-NEPAD issues, with the intention of establishing an "Africa Centre" as part of its services.
For any information needs regarding AU-NEPAD issues, please log on to:
TALK TO US:
For any further enquiries regarding our services, you can contact one of our staff members:
Sunet Swanepoel
+27 4032032 email: sswanepoel@parliament.gov.za
Vatiswa Mafika
+27 021- 4032043 email: vmafika@parliament.gov.za
Matheku Aphane
+27 021- 4032049 email: maphane@parliament.gov.za
Vusi Tafu
+27 021-4032033 email: vtafu@parliament.gov.za
