International Nelson Mandela Day Commemoration

@Mahikeng Campus

Mandela Day is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrating democracy and the pursuit of a fair society. In remembering Mandela’s values, the NWU Mafikeng LIS team supported pre-schoolers at Boikamoso Day Care Center by donating non-perishable food and creating a food garden. Accompanying the library staff were colleagues from NWU Corporate Relations and Marketing and a representative from UNICEF. The NWU Mascot Eagle was also there to entertain the kids and donate groceries.

Colleagues and the NWU Mascot got their hands dirty by planting vegetable seedlings and handing groceries to the crèche. The NWU and Boikamoso Day Care staff members danced together with the kids in appreciation of the day.

Love, excitement, and determination fuelled the efforts. The difference made in the children’s and preschool staff’s lives is extremely inspiring. Let us continue to honour Mandela’s legacy by raising awareness about climate change, food security, and unity. Working together, we can make the world a better place.

“Make everyday a Mandela Day” Ban Ki Moon.
#ItIsInYourHands

Contributors: Phethani Budeli, Mavis Nani, Sebo Sebolai, Emilio Stuurman, Crown Botlhoko, Tumisho Mooketsi, & Maphefo Maake

@ Vanderbijlpark Campus

As part of Nelson Mandela Day celebrations, Deputy Vice-chancellor: Planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus Operation, Prof Linda Du Plessis suggested that NWU support the “Hanging a Jacket in a tree” initiative. The initiative encourages NWU Staff and students to donate and hang old jackets on the Steel Acacia tree in front of the library at VC Campus. The SCC will collect all jackets and donate them to a needy organisation.

The NWU VC Library staff converged at the Steel Acacia tree on Tuesday, 18 July 2023 @09h00 am to hang the jackets donated by library staff. The NWU LIS team also played a video on the electronic screens displaying powerful and favourite quotations from Nelson Mandela. This was done to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela and to reflect on his values and principles, which are to positively impact the community.

Well done, VC Library staff. The theme of this year’s Mandela Day is “It Is In Your Hands, and the future is truly in our hands, but also in our hands together. It can only be in our hands if it is within our reach” – Prof Bismark Tyobeka, NWU Principal and Vice-Chancellor.

Empowering Minds: NWU Vanderbijlpark Campus LIS Extends a Helping Hand to Phiritona Public Library and Sediba-Thuto Secondary School on Mandela Day

As part of the esteemed 67 minutes for Mandela Day initiative, the North-West University (NWU) Vanderbijlpark campus Library and Information Services (LIS) embarked on a heartening mission to positively impact the community. The team, consisting of colleagues from the Loan Service and Information Services, paid visits to Phiritona Public Library and Sediba-Thuto Secondary School, generously donating books to nurture the love for reading and learning.

At Phiritona Public Library, the warm reception from Mr. Tshabalala, the librarian, exuded gratitude for the NWU LIS’s visit. It’s worth noting that Mr. Tshabalala is a former intern of the Vanderbijlpark campus LIS, having undergone a valuable internship experience in 2019. The meaningful connection between the NWU LIS and Mr. Tshabalala further strengthened the spirit of collaboration and dedication to knowledge dissemination.

Similarly, the teachers at Sediba-Thuto Secondary School eagerly embraced the NWU LIS team’s arrival, thrilled to receive the generous book donation for their school library. The LIS team actively assisted in setting up the library, fostering a sense of camaraderie and building lasting relationships. The team pledged continuous support in revitalising the school library, aligning with the school’s vision for creating a flourishing learning space.

Furthermore, it was heart-warming to learn that the Phiritona community, which the libraries serve, significantly includes many NWU students during recess. The strong bond between the university and the community highlights the shared commitment to education and knowledge enrichment.

In conclusion, the NWU Vanderbijlpark Campus LIS demonstrated the essence of giving back to society by donating books and providing much-needed support to Phiritona Public Library and Sediba-Thuto Secondary School. Through these endeavours, the NWU LIS continues to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela by empowering minds and spreading the light of knowledge to uplift communities and foster a brighter future.

#Make Everyday a Mandela Day
#ItIsInYourHands

Contributors: Tebane Khoza, Nthabiseng Maseko, Siyabonga Sithole, Matela Buthelezi, Malose Langa.

Theology Library Outreach to Correctional Services, Potchefstroom

During 2022, the Theology Library was running a community project in support of the Faculty of Theology’s outreach programme. Prof Fazel Freeks provides a ministry to the local prison inmates. In support of this community project, the Theology Library collected Bibles, hymnals, devotionals and spiritual books. The books were donated to Prof Freeks on Monday 6 December. He will distribute the books to the prison inmates, and also use it for his ministry to the aged in Promosa, Potchefstroom.

HESTER LOMBARD
SENIOR LIBRARIAN: THEOLOGY LIBRARY

Mahikeng LIS Staff Visited Old Age Homes

A prosperous nation looks after its elders. This message resonated with LIS staff at Mahikeng, and as a result, they identified two Old Age Homes to visit. Lapa La Botlhe and Roturus old age homes were visited on 26 August 2022. The purpose of the visit was to share the day with them as a reminder that they are not forgotten by their communities. Spending those few hours with them helped to break the monotony of their day. Even though Mandela Day had long passed, we kept to our promise. On top of that, the library donated warm socks to the two homes. The visit was heart-warming, and we hope frequent visits would be made to these homes. The library staff committed to revisiting the centers and donating books where necessary.

Contribution by:
Teboho Morajane, Sakhile Mngomezulu, Emilio Stuurman, Ipeleng Kopela and Sebo Sebolai (Mahikeng LIS staff)

Handover of Books and Computers to JB Marks Community Libraries

Local libraries often do not have the means to acquire much-needed computers and books on a regular basis. Staff of the North-West University (NWU) Library and Information Service (LIS) in Potchefstroom saw this need and reached out with a generous donation to the JB Marks community libraries.

Cllr K. de Villiers, Cllr Merna Meyer, Ms Louise Markram, Ms Anna von Benecke, Ms Lynnette Venter, Ms Zippora Vavane, Mr Cecil Gasa, Ms Louise Vos, Mr Ntobeko Sikhakhane

Louise Vos, LIS senior manager, says the donation on 15 August consisted of 10 computers and nearly 800 books. “The outreach forms part of the social responsibility and community engagement activities of the NWU.” According to Louise, the LIS became aware of the JB Marks community libraries’ need for computers and books. The LIS managers for Information Resources and Library Systems, Ntobeko Sikhakhane and Cecil Gasa emphasised the role of information literacy and information technology in the lives of citizens nowadays.

On behalf of the community libraries, Louise Markram, assistant city librarian, says the donation will assist them in providing a better service to the community. “This will assist in creating a house of knowledge and installing a culture of reading.” Zippora Vavane, acting director for Municipal Services and Local Economic Development, welcomes the donation and says that the libraries could not buy new books for the last two to three years.

Councillor Merna Meyer, MMC for Sports, Arts and Culture, said the donation was citizenship and responsibility in action.

Article as published on NWU News: NWU donates computers and books to JB Marks community libraries | news.nwu.ac.za and Potchefstroom Herald, 19 August 2022.

The LIS Commemorated Mandela Day

On 18 July 2022, the LIS staff commemorated Mandela Day according to this year’s Mandela Day slogan: we decided to DO WHAT WE CAN, WITH WHAT WE HAVE, WHERE WE ARE.

Potchefstroom campus library staff contributed to animal welfare and reach out to PAWS (Potchefstroom Animal Welfare Society) on Mandela Day.

LIS staff donated dog and cat food, treats, blankets, dog beds and items needed to treat injured animals. Staff had the opportunity to take part in feeding the animals and enjoyed walking and jogging with some of the dogs.

It was evident that PAWS staff are doing wonderful work to create a caring environment for vulnerable and neglected animals.

Contributer: LOUISE VOS

The library on Vanderbijlpark campus celebrated Mandela Day by reaching out to staff on campus. It was a cold winter morning, and the LIS staff had the opportunity to show appreciation to all the contractors on Campus.

The contractors, (Protection Services, Servest Cleaners and Gardening Services), braced themselves to a hot cup of soup and bread served by the LIS team. As the saying goes: A little goes a long way. What was meant to be a small token of appreciation to the contractors, went as far as serving some staff members and students who were on campus on the day. Contractors were very pleased and thankful for the lovely gestures, and some pleaded with the staff to do this at least once a month. Nothing could be promised, but we hope to reach everyone next time.

Nelson Mandela once said: “If you want the cooperation of humans around you, you must make them feel they are important – and you do that by being genuine and humble“. It is therefore in our hands to create a better world for all who live in it.

Contributors:
NTHABISENG MASEKO
ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN, CLIENT SERVICES

Celebrating Youth Day

Youth Day in South Africa is a day to honor the courage and sacrifice of the Soweto Uprising and celebrate all young people.

On 16 June 1976, a demonstration in Soweto, led mainly by high school students was met with a brutal crackdown by police and set off a wave of protests and violent conflicts across South Africa. The day is now commemorated as Youth Day, an annual public holiday in which South Africans remember the significance of the Soweto Uprisings and the bravery of those involved, as well as the importance of supporting the youth across the country.

The LIS celebrates Youth Day to commemorate the Soweto Uprising of 16 June 1976. As part of the Youth Day celebration, the Library and Information Services (LIS) at the Mahikeng campus visited DP Kgotleng Primary school at Mmabatho Unit 2. The LIS marketing committee identified the school. One of the LIS strategic priority areas for 2021-2025 is to position the LIS within and outside the NWU community. The LIS outreach program commemorating June 16, visited the school to donate books, posters, and magazines to promote reading. Community work is part of the LIS focus areas because we are aware of the social responsibility that the LIS has to take. The donation was not only about the books, posters, and magazines but also to establish relationships with the school which we hope will be the everlasting relationship.

Learners from different grades had the opportunity to read some posters and discuss different topics as part of the celebration’s activities. Other learners performed the Sarafina song. Learners believe the donations to the school will improve their reading skills, thinking skills and creativity. The school thanked the LIS for choosing their school as they don’t normally get donations from other organisation. The school principal indicated that there will be renovations at the school and one of their blocks has been identified as a library.

BENFORD RABATSETA
SENIOR LIBRARIAN CATALOGUING (MAHIKENG)

Silent Tsunami Hits Potchefstroom

In recent years we have seen a substantial number of Tsunamis across the globe. Potchefstroom’s geographic location (1340m altitude) has been providing some sort of comfort and that is simply because Tsunamis are common in coastal lowland areas. To our surprise, on the 1st of August 2022, Potchefstroom was hit by the largest magnitude. It is however comforting that no casualties were reported, and our books didn’t fall from the shelves either.

Jessica Monaisa, Wilna Fick, Martin Nokoane, Louise Vos, Tumi Mafoko and Janie Lamprecht.

Matumelo (Tumi) Ruth Mafoko visited the LIS Potchefstroom on 1 August 2022 to deliver copies of her book, Through the silent tsunami. After her donation to the NWU Special Collection Archives of Greatness, there was a need for additional copies.

This book is about an enduring journey of a young woman who is recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction from as early as her high school days. Matumelo retells her story of emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Having been caught in the grips of addiction, she mentions some of her ways of survival as productive alcohol and drug addict as a student. Finding God and her daughter being the biggest motivators to change her ways, she sought out different rehabilitation centers for help and through this, learned a few coping mechanisms such as writing down her thoughts and talking about her struggles.

She continues to live in recovery, helping and inspiring others as a motivational speaker at Horizons Age PTY (Ltd). In commemoration of Women’s Month, the LIS embraces our local female authors.

Through The Silent Tsunami by Matumelo Ruth Mafoko is available at all the campuses.

Contributors:
NTOBEKO SIKHAKHANE, LIS MANAGER INFORMATION RESOURCES
JESSICA MONAISA, LIS INTERN

Community Engagement at Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark

SA Library Week was celebrated on 14-20 March 2022. Due to campus unrest, the libraries on Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark campuses could not reach out as planned, and their projects were postponed.

Mahikeng library staff launched a campaign amongst NWU LIS staff to donate feminine pads for their project. The campaign was driven by the staff’s passion to make a difference and contribute to the lives of learners in the community of Mahikeng.

Recently, the staff managed to deliver 266 packs of feminine pads to Boitshoko Secondary School in Lomanyaneng village. The teachers and learners were happy and said that the donation will help them a lot, as many schoolgirls do not attend school if there is a shortage of feminine pads. The school indicated that the LIS donation came at the right time, as they used to receive donations from the Department of Education, but they did not receive anything in the past three years, and it became a challenge when they had to provide for girls in need.

We would like to send our sincere gratitude to all LIS staff members who heeded the call for the campaign. Let us continue to support good causes.
“Moshito o tswela pele”- Let the beat continue!

The library on the Vanderbijlpark campus donated 120 academic books to Groenpunt Maximum Correctional Centre during their “Drop a Book”, in celebration of National Library Week. LIS staff members who attended the event indicated that they will go back and assist the Correctional Services with the Dewey system, where Mrs. Mokoena is looking forward to learning the system.

LIS staff also donated 170 books to Suncrest High School as part of the extended National Library Week events. The Principal, Mr. Dlamini thanked NWU LIS and gave assurance that the school will ensure that learners make good use of the books.

Contributors:
MAPHEFO MAAKE (MANAGER: INFORMATION AND RESEARCH SERVICES, MAHIKENG)
MABOTSHA MAMABOLO (SENIOR LIBRARIAN: INFORMATION SERVICES, MAHIKENG)
THOKO TSWAILE (LIS ADMIN OFFICER, VANDERBIJLPARK)

Donation of German Collection

On Monday, the 28^th of March, Mr. Johannes Zink from Hallau in Switzerland officially handed over a collection of approximately 18,000 books to Dr. Mathew Moyo, Chief Director Library and Information Service of the NWU. Mr. Zink, who was a business consultant in Europe for many decades, is an ardent reader who has used books on a wide range of topics for his work. Mr. Zink, who hails from Hamburg in Germany and now lives in Switzerland, regards South Africa as his second home. He wanted to donate the books to a South African university in the light of his long-standing relationship with South Africa, which includes his participation in anti-apartheid activism during the 1980s. His friendship with Prof Lucius Botes of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences in Vanderbijlpark made the decision easy to which university he should donate the books to.

Dr. Mathew Moyo (Chief Director LIS) with Mr. Hans Zink, Dr. Philip van der Merwe (Subject Chair for German), Prof Lucius Botes (Director for Research Development in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences) and Prof Phil van Schalkwyk (Director: Research Unit for Languages and Literature in the South African Context).

During the handover, he pointed out some books of interest, like German translations of books by well-known South African authors such as André P Brink and Nadine Gordimer. There is also a German translation of the well-known Long walk to freedom by Nelson Mandela. Since most of the books are in German, the books draw one’s attention to the value of learning German. According to the Goethe-Institut, knowledge of German provides opportunities to study and work in German-speaking countries; participate in exchange programs, and increase one’s chances for employment with German and foreign companies in one’s own country and abroad (https://www.goethe.de/en/spr/wdl.html).

The NWU LIS feels proud and grateful that we can be the host of this extensive collection.

LIS Community Outreach to Sunrise View Primary School

As part of our commitment to community engagement, the NWU LIS donated a library system and book trolley to Sunrise View Primary School in Rustenburg on 27 November 2018.

At the handover meeting, Louise Vos (LIS) provided background of the outreach.  She mentioned that a number of NWU LIS members attended the launch of National Library Week 2017, which was held at Sunrise View Primary School.  Attendees were taken on a tour of the school and the library afterwards.  The LIS staff became aware of the fact that they have a well-run school with a beautiful library and dedicated school librarian.  The missing link was that they did not have a library system.  Therefore no books could be checked out to learners to use outside the library or read at home. LIS management then decided that this school would be a worthy candidate for community outreach.  Should a library system be donated to them, it would be money well spent.

At the handover ceremony:  Mr Robert Basson (LibWin Library Systems), Ms Louise Vos (LIS), Mr Lelaka (Circuit Manager, Dept of Basic Education), Mr Louw Venter (LIS), Ms Lorraine Modise (Principal: Sunrise View Primary School), Mr Martin Nokoane (LIS), Ms Lezanne de Beer (School Librarian) and Mr Lindsay Reid (LIS)

During the handover ceremony on 27 November, Martin Nokoane (LIS) mentioned that the LIS was touched when they met the Sunrise View Primary School librarian in 2017, and saw her passion to help and assist the learners of the school with reading and literacy.  He went on saying that the LIS wants to support reading and promote literacy in the broader community as well.  He also informed the school that it is necessary for the LIS to monitor the impact of the outreach, therefore Sunrise View is now one of the NWU Library partners.  The LIS will continue to work with the school in future to determine the return on investment.

The principal, Ms Lorraine Modise thanked the NWU LIS and gave the assurance that the system would be well utilized.  On behalf of the senior management of the school, she expressed their heartfelt appreciation and enthusiasm to receive the system.  She mentioned that they are very proud of their school librarian, as she was announced provincial winner in the National Teacher of the Year Award in the Category Excellence of Grade R Teaching.   Mr Lelaka (Circuit Manager – Sub District, Department of Basic Education) thanked the LIS for the donation.  He was delighted to hear that, as of the beginning of 2019, the school would be able to issue library books and textbooks on the new Library system.  He also recommended that there must be a period in the timetable for each class for reading on a daily basis in order for learners to become readers.

Mr Louw Venter (LIS) confirmed that he had compared different systems and tried to look at a system which would really address the needs of the school, taking into consideration their specific circumstances and requirements. Based on that, he made a recommendation which the school found acceptable.  After the donation, the vendor will provide assistance to the school in terms of technical support and training, to ensure the continued success of this project. Both the NWU LIS and the school were grateful that Mr Robert Basson from Libwin Library Systems was there to show his commitment to this new partnership.

Representing the learners, the Dux Learner of the school, Nira Masira, gave her thoughts on “What my Library means to me”  –  … My library is a place of quietness, wonders and concentration.  My library is a book full of adventures with sub-headings.  The Library is a place of imagination, folk tales, fairy tales, fiction, facts, curiosity, happiness, joy and adventure!  It makes me want to tell the whole world that I have a Library at school…

Dux Learner of the school, Nira Masira