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UFS staff member Nambitha Manqola scoops national Librarian award

18 October 2022 | Story Tsholo Maleho

UFS librarian Nambitha Manqola received top honours at the 2022 Library and Information Association of South Africa conference, scooping the association’s Emerging Librarian Award.

The University of the Free State Library and Information Services (UFS LIS) continues to deliver world-class services, with its staff members receiving national accolades.

Highlighting the library’s positive contributions, Nambitha Manqola, Chief Officer in the UFS LIS on the Bloemfontein Campus, recently scooped the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) - Nevada LMS Emerging Librarian Award at the association’s national conference hosted in Gauteng from 4 to 7 October 2022.

A role model for the Library and Information Services community

This award is given to someone who demonstrates characteristics indicating that they are a role model for the library and information services community, someone whose contributions could have a long-term impact on the sector, and someone who will be an ambassador for LIASA, Nevada LMS, and librarianship in the coming years, including embracing the post-modern digital landscape.

This accolade recognises the achievements and accomplishments of emerging, inspiring, and exceptional public, academic, school, and special librarians who have earned their LIS qualification within the past five years.

Manqola is known throughout the UFS LIS and Free State library community as a well-rounded individual who is gifted and skilled in a variety of areas, particularly technology. She is based in the UFS LIS Digital Scholarship Centre and is responsible for research data management, and library systems.

Her contribution to the UFS library's growth and marketing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has left a lasting impression, making her an ambassador for how library professionals should embrace change and technology.

News Archive

UFS plays leading role in implementing curriculum for deaf learners

2013-08-15

Minister Angie Motshekga (front left) joined by members of the South African Sign Language task team. Behind Minister Motshekga’s shoulder is Dr Philemon Akach.
15 August 2013

South African Sign Language (SASL) will soon be offered as a school subject to Grade 0–12 learners in all 42 schools for the deaf in South Africa. Our Department of South African Sign Language had a role to play in this significant development that will empower deaf learners in South Africa and the continent.

Dr Philemon Akach, Head of the Department of South African Sign Language at the UFS, is part of the nine-member task team that recently handed over the SASL curriculum to the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga. The curriculum will be offered as a home language in all schools from 2014 and Grade 12 learners will be able to write it as a final-year examination subject.

Dr Akach – a member of the task team since 2009 – helped to coordinate the development of the curriculum.

The implementation of the curriculum means a lot to the Department of South African Sign Language, Dr Akach says. “We have championed the linguistic needs of the deaf community ever since we became the first university to offer SASL as an academic course, not only in South Africa, but also on the continent.”

Dr Akach says most Education students are already taking SASL as subject in his department, equipping them as prospective teachers to make implementation of the curriculum a smooth one. “Given our expertise, we will train teachers in the field and be involved in the setting and moderation of exam papers. The University of the Free State is no doubt a leader in this field.”

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