Dibuka is a Francophone multimedia library which aims to promote the French language and French-speaking cultures. It is the French Institute of South Africa’s library which is the fruit of a partnership with the Alliance Française of Johannesburg and the French Embassy in South Africa. It was created in 2003 i.e. Dibuka turns 22 in 2025!
> What does Dibuka offer?
- The library offers, for consultation and loan, more than 20,000 different types of media including: novels, non-fiction books, a digital platform, CDs, magazines, comics and children’s literature – all promoting francophone cultures.
- Dibuka also offers different activities for their readers; such as storytelling and creative workshops for children, and film screenings and literary events for adults.
- Work and study space, access to the internet, and computers.
> How to become a member?
Standard membership fee – R300 / year (12 months)
Special membership fees – R150 / year (12 months)
– Under 18 years / over 60 years.
– Pupils and students in schools and universities.
– Alliance Française students.
– Personnel of the Alliance Française, French Embassy, French Consulate and IFAS.
Free
– Students studying French in universities.
– Teachers and lecturers of French in schools and universities.
Registration confirmed upon presentation of an Identity Document, Student Card or a justification for free membership. Membership fees are not refundable.
Download the membership registration form here.
Simply complete the registration form, make payment online, and bring the form to Dibuka to receive your membership card.
> How to borrow from Dibuka?
On-site consultation of books and magazines of the library is free, but library membership is necessary to borrow documents. Library members may borrow, for a period of three weeks:
- 10 books
- 3 CDs or audio books
- 2 DVDs
Members may extend the duration of their loan twice, via email.
Added Extras
> Culturethèque
Culturethèque is the online library offered by the Institut Français and the Alliance Française network of South Africa. It offers thousands of online resources: e-books, magazines, cartoon strips, travel guides, children’s books and also language learning books. Online browsing on computers, laptops and tablets and smartphones is possible after you have registered on the platform. Library membership gives you free access to Culturethèque. The platform is available on www.culturetheque.com.
> Waowh!
A special collection in English to allow the South African public to discover the richness of Francophone literature. You can discover contemporary Francophone authors like Michel Houellebecq, Alain Mabanckou, Marie Ndiaye… and also the new generation of graphic novel authors like Marjane Satrapi (Persepolis, Chicken with Plums…), Guy Delisle and Riad Satouf.
> Learner’s Library
The learner’s library is a space dedicated to people who are learning French. This space consists of a wide selection of books (novels, graphic novels and various kinds of genres) and DVDs (films, documentaries) arranged according to the level of study (A1, A2, B1, B2 etc.) in order to guide the user in their choice of learning support.
> Dibuka opening times
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday – 09:30 – 12:30 | 14:00 – 18:00
Saturday: 09:30 – 12:30
Closed on Mondays, Sundays and local public holidays.
> Dibuka contact details
The library is located at the French Institute of South Africa, 62 Juta Street, in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
Email: dibuka@frenchinstitute.org.za.
Please note: The right of admission to the library is reserved, and membership can be cancelled by management if necessary.
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