Month: March 2024

Xabiso Xesi, SU Library

Xabiso Xesi joined the Library as the Manager: Research Data Services  on 01 February 2024. Before joining us, Xabiso served as a Digital Scholarship Specialist at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Libraries. However, he is no stranger to SU having previously worked as an Information Systems Coordinator at the University’s Division for Research Management. He brings extensive expertise in research data management, scholarly communication and information systems management which was gained during his time at the CPUT and SU. Armed with a Postgraduate Diploma in Knowledge and Information Systems Management from Stellenbosch University and a BCom Honours in Information Systems, he is completing an MPhil in Digital Curation at the University of Cape Town. If Xabiso is not exploring new academic tools in his spare time, he is on Spotify enjoying South African jazz music and old-school deep house.

 

Sakhile Mngomezulu, SU Library

Sakhile Mngomezulu joined the Library as the Manager: Scholarly Communications and Open Access on 01 February 2024. Previously, he served as Senior Librarian: Institutional Repository and Systems Support at North-West University following a role as Librarian: Scholarly Communications at the same institution. Sakhile also worked as an Information Specialist at Varsity College IIE and at the Management College of Southern Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Information Studies degree from the University of Limpopo and a Master of Information Science Degree from the University of South Africa. He is presently enrolled for a Ph.D. in Information Science at the University of South Africa. In his spare time, Sakhile enjoys playing football and was a member of the North-West University staff soccer team.

 

The excited anticipation of the library orientation could be heard and felt throughout the University of Stellenbosch Library from 5 February 2024. The theme of the program, which lasted until 7 February was Let’s library together! Our dedicated staff, dressed in the University’s branded t-shirts, eagerly awaited to welcome and guide hundreds of newcomers on their journey through the vast sea of knowledge.

The students, representing various faculties, enthusiastically embraced the discovery journey. They were treated to a brief yet insightful tour of the library’s key spaces, including the innovative Makerspace, the Learning Commons, and quiet study areas.

After the tour, an engaging video was shown, showcasing the library’s numerous services and resources. But the excitement didn’t end there! On 5 February, the library tours came to life with the surprise appearance of the University’s mascot, Pokkel, who delighted students with freebies and led them in an enthusiastic Mexican wave in the library auditorium. Students enjoyed the opportunity to capture memories with Pokkel, immortalising this joyful occasion.

The enthusiasm among library staff for the year ahead is palpable. They are committed to guiding students on their academic journey and have invited students not only to meet their faculty librarians but also to participate in GetSmart@URLibrary from 12 to 16 February — a valuable opportunity to enhance their information literacy skills through one-on-one drop-in consultations with library staff. This initiative aims to empower students to effectively navigate the vast landscape of information and equip them with the tools necessary for academic success.

Amidst all the activities in the library, we warmly welcome all students. We are delighted that they embrace the library as their space and are committed to ensuring that their journey at Stellenbosch University is enriching and rewarding. As Albert Einstein allegedly said, “The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library,” and we stand ready to be their compass on this journey of discovery.

So, as you navigate the corridors of academia, remember that the library is not just a physical space—it is a gateway to endless possibilities and opportunities. We invite you to explore, discover, and find your favourite spot in the library—a sanctuary where knowledge knows no bounds.

Welcome to Stellenbosch University Library—where every question finds an answer, and every student finds their path to success.

Theresa Schoeman