Mr Sakhile Victor Mngomezulu has been appointed as Librarian: Scholarly Communications from 1 April 2021. He is based in the Research Commons in the library on Mafikeng campus, and will report to the Director Open Scholarship. He will work closely with Faculty Librarians and other staff on research matters. Sakhile holds a Degree NQF 8 from the University of Limpopo in Information Studies. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Information Science with the University of South Africa. He started working as a Library Intern at the University of South Africa (Main Campus). He then moved on to work as a Librarian at the Management College of Southern Africa. He was then appointed as an Information Specialist at the Varsity college(IIE) providing research support to postgraduate students.
Sakhile, welcome to the NWU LIS team – we wish you all the best in your new position!
We congratulate Mr Nestus Venter on his appointment as Senior Librarian at the Natural Sciences Library (Potchefstroom).
Ms Dina Mashiyane has resigned. Her last working day will be 19 March 2021. 
Nontobeko Mahlalela has been appointed as Librarian: Research Support from 1 March 2021. She is based in the Research and Honours Commons in the library on Potchefstroom campus, and will report to the Director Open Scholarship. She will work closely with Faculty Librarians and other staff on research matters. Nonto received her Honours in Information Science in 2017. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Information Science. She has worked as Librarian at the National Health Laboratory Service from 2013, supporting medical doctors and medical scientists in the field of research.
Mr Tiyani T Mabunda was appointed Director Open Scholarship for all three Campuses from 1 February 2021. He is based at the Mahikeng Campus where he oversees the LIS operations. He joins us from the University of Johannesburg where he served in different roles for a number of years. Mr Mabunda worked as a Manager responsible for E-Research services and Scholarly Communication. Prior to that he worked as a Team Leader for Circulation and Access Services, and also as an Information Librarian. The LIS wishes to extend a hearty welcome to Mr Mabunda.
The appointment of the Manager Information Resources is still in progress. Thank you to Benford Rabatseta who will still be acting in this role until further notice from People and Culture.
Ms Maphefo Maake was appointed as Manager Information Services at our Mafikeng Campus from 1 January 2021. She worked at Mintek where she was responsible for the provision of information service to researchers, library collection management, information and knowledge management, supervision and quality management. She started her career in Information Services in 1996 at the University of Johannesburg.
Our dear colleague, Anriëtte Pretorius, retired in December 2020 after 44 years of dedicated service to the NWU Library and Information Service. Her contribution to the organization and running of the collections, databases and excellent service delivery cannot be underestimated. She was known as an informed professional who did not shy away from challenges and change – she was an inspiration and force to be reckoned with and will be sorely missed by colleagues and patrons alike. 
Ms Maniza Ndwande after a service of 39 years
Ms Boitumelo Masilo has resigned and will leave us at the end of October to take up another position at the Sol Plaatje University.