The Otjozondjupa Regional Library is expanding its role beyond promoting literacy by spearheading a road safety awareness campaign.

The campaign is aimed at educating communities on responsible road use and proper accident scene conduct.

Libraries are often seen as places with books, but their role extends far beyond that.

Otjozondjupa Region Chief Librarian Aune Iyambo stated that libraries also serve as platforms for community education and information-sharing.

“We want to create awareness and encourage our people to engage on issues such as road safety. We want to go out into the community and ensure people have the right information and are educated about road safety."

The initiative aims to promote safer roads in the region and across the country. 

The Road Safety Community Engagement Sessions will be launched on Monday in Otjiwarongo before continuing along the Kalkfeld, Okahandja, Okakarara, Otavi, and Grootfontein routes. Senior Librarian at the Otjiwarongo Community Library, Floridah Simunja, explained. “One of the activities will be a live simulation where stakeholders will stage a mock accident scene to educate road users on how to respond when they arrive at an accident scene, including the do’s and don'ts.

” Digital ethics at accident scenes will also form part of the awareness campaign.'When an accident happens, many people immediately take graphic photos and videos, which often end up on social media. Through this campaign, we want to educate communities that recording and sharing images of accident victims is not the right thing to do,” added Simunja.

The initiative reflects the evolving role of libraries as centers of knowledge and community engagement, bringing together stakeholders and communities to promote responsible road use, encourage behavioural change and contribute to safer roads across the country.