DUT LIBRARY CELEBRATES SOUTH AFRICAN LIBRARY WEEK WITH INSIGHTFUL PUBLIC LECTURE BY PROF MPHO NGOEPE

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Library recently commemorated the South African Library Week (SALW) with a hybrid public lecture delivered by Professor Mpho Ngoepe, Executive Director: Library and Information Services at the University of South Africa. Professor Ngoepe, C2 NRF rated researcher delivered this lecture at the BM Patel Library, 4^th floor conference centre, ML Sultan Campus.

This pivotal week marked a significant occasion in South Africa for the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) and the broader Library and Information Services (LIS) sector. It is for this reason that on a yearly basis, the DUT Library plans and celebrate the SALW including the hosting of the public lecture as part of the proceedings. The topic of the day was: “Libraries for Sustainable Communities – towards inclusivity in an academic library space to foster access to information.” This prestigious public lecture was expertly facilitated by Romeo Muvhulawa Matumba, Librarian: Marketing and Communication, who engaged the audience with his outstanding MC skills.

 Professor Mashupye Kgaphola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at DUT, delivered the welcome and opening address.

“As a university, we continue to invest in the library services because we regard them as part of our core business, for the role they play and the role they will continue to play, not just in preservation but also in generation of scholarship”, said Prof Kgaphola. He further remarked that “Libraries serve as a hope for the home of memories”.

In closing his opening address, Prof Kgaphola said: “We are pleased, Dr Phaladi, that you and your colleagues continue to lead at DUT and that you also bring eminent people to the university, such as Professor Ngoepe. We are here with you and to listen to you and your guest as we pursue our dream, which is encapsulated in the ENVISION2030 strategy, the pride of the DUT community. Holistically, as we look to the future, colleagues, I am here to learn, just as you have come to learn from this eminent scholar and leader in South Africa.”

DUT Library Director, Dr Malefetjane Phaladi with some of the DUT LIASA members.

Dr Malefetjane Phaladi, Director of Library Services at DUT, introduced Professor Mpho Ngoepe, highlighting his academic and professional achievements as a prominent scholar and thought leader in South Africa.

Delivering the highly anticipated public lecture to a full-capacity audience, Professor Ngoepe provided insightful perspectives on the diverse ways in which libraries contribute to the sustainability and development of communities.

“Libraries play a fundamental role in building sustainable communities by serving as inclusive spaces that foster access to information and resources for all. They are more than just repositories of books, they are essential hubs for lifelong learning and quality education, empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. In the digital age, libraries have also become key players in bridging the digital divide, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to technology and digital literacy,” stated Prof Ngoepe.

Prof Ngoepe also reiterated that libraries should align with university priorities by adopting open scholarship practices, including Open Access (OA) publishing and Open Educational Resources (OERs).

“It is imperative that libraries must enhance knowledge access through institutional repositories, research data management, and digitisation. Promoting diverse content, including indigenous knowledge, is essential for transformation. Libraries also serve as inclusive spaces for cultural exchange through storytelling, spelling bees, and book clubs. Strong internal and external collaborations are key to enriching services and co-curricular activities. Through these efforts, libraries remain vital to knowledge creation, dissemination, and engagement in a digital world,” added Prof Ngoepe

Furthermore, Prof Ngoepe added that libraries are champions of environmental awareness and community engagement, promoting sustainability initiatives and fostering a sense of shared responsibility for our planet. “As we celebrate South African Library Week, let us recognise and strengthen the vital role that libraries play in shaping informed, empowered, and sustainable communities,” concluded Prof Ngoepe.

Guests were also treated to poetry recited by talented DUT students who are members of the Poetry club.

Professor Mathys Swanepoel, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics at DUT delivered the vote of thanks, expressing his sincere appreciation to the guest speaker for an insightful and thought-provoking lecture. He acknowledged the library management and planning team for their strategic foresight in securing the necessary resources and inviting a distinguished speaker for the event. Furthermore, Professor Swanepoel extended his gratitude to key stakeholders, including Corporate Affairs, the Audiovisual unit, and all participants, both in-person and virtual, whose contributions ensured the event’s success.

Pictured: Guest Speaker, Professor Mpho Ngoepe receiving a token of appreciation from the DUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Professor Mashupye Kgaphola.

Photographer: Akhona Mbonambi

Romeo Muvhulawa Matumba