​The City of Johannesburg, through the Community Development department: Library and Information Services (LIS), officially launched the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Media and Information Literacy (MIL) City Network Pilot on 26 June 2026 at Noordgesig Library.

In November 2024, the City's Library and Information Services e-learning unit participated in the United Nations World Urban Forum in Egypt, where UNESCO introduced the operational guidelines for the Media and Information Literacy (MIL) global network.

In April 2025, UNESCO's international office invited the City of Johannesburg to represent Africa as one of only 10 pilot cities globally.

Guests included UNESCO Professor Mbangi Nepfumbada, representatives of the Innovation & Knowledge Management, Public Safety's Xolani Fihla and Tshegofatso B. Malapane, from Joburg City Safety Programme, Social Development's Bafana Magagula, representatives of the Joburg Tourism, Ward Councillor, Cllr Ismael Steenkamp, City of Joburg Libraries and Information Services director Nobuntu Mpendulo and her team.

Member of the Mayoral Council for Community Development Cllr Thapelo Amad gave the opening address. “The City of Johannesburg is proud to be part of this global network. The UNESCO MIL Network Pilot aims to strengthen the ability of citizens to access reliable information, think critically, and use media responsibly and safely.

“We are the only city on the continent out of 10 cities chosen for the pilot. Two more cities have joined us. And we are proud to be giving the City's residents access to broader information through our LIS digital transformation programmes. And we thank all our stakeholders as well as UNESCO for choosing our City to be part of this pilot on the continent. This is testimony to the City's world-class status," said Cllr Amad.

The City's participation affirms Johannesburg's commitment to promoting social cohesion and inclusivity in the digital economy; diversity and multicultural engagement; and public safety and informed communities for smart citizenry.

The launch event served as a platform to showcase the City's ongoing work in advancing Media and Information Literacy across communities.

Written by Maseipati Tsotsotso
29/06/2026
 
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