The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Library hosted the 2022 staff recognition awards to acknowledge and appreciate library staff for their hard work and dedication. The event was held on Friday, 31 March 2023 at Elangeni, Maharani Hotel.

The DUT’s Librarian: Marketing and Communication, Romeo Matumba facilitated the event. He kept all the attendees captivated with his gentle programme-directing skills and he also shed light on the purpose of the day.

Dr Malefetjane Phaladi, Director: Library services, delivered his welcoming remarks, and further reflected on the library achievements for the year 2022. He shared the 2023 plans for the library. Dr Phaladi urged library staff to study further as the library unit already has four (Doctor of Philosophy) PhD holders and they still expect more staff to get their PhDs. Furthermore, Dr Phaladi also dove deep DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy, and how the library should live by the values and principles outlined in the university strategy.

The list of Awards and winners is as follows:

• Librarian of the year: Nabisa Mbali
• Culture of Reading: Tholeka Sidlayi
• Lived Values & Principles Champions: AP Library, Kogie Naicker, Mandla Ndaba and Tholeka Sidlayi
• Innovation & Creativity Nonsikelelo Badenhorst
• Library Stakeholder Engagement : Romeo Matumba
• Smart Librarian: Sean Carte
• Green Star: Segarani Naidoo
• Community Engagement: Sarah Khan
• CPD Participation: Romeo Matumba (32 points), Sarah Khan (29 Points) and Claire Spershott (25 points)

The library also acknowledged team members who have been dedicating their hard work at the library with long service awards.
The list of the awardees is as follows:

• Ayanda Thwala: 5 years
• Nondumiso Msomi: 5 years
• Tholeka Sidlayi: 5 years
• Nontuthuzelo Sogoni: 10 years
• Sibusiso Gumede: 10 years
• Sean Carte: 10 years
• Nkululeko Mpungose: 15 years
• David Thomas: 20 years
• Reshmee Jadoo: 25 years
• Vuyani Mayela: 25 years
• Tulse Ramlugan: 30 years
• Segarani Naidoo: 30 years
• Lutchmie John: 35 years
• Sandra Ringavathie Achary: 35 years.

Dr Malefetjane Phalade Director: Library Services handing over the Award to Nonsikelelo Badenhorst

“It is a huge honour to receive this Librarian of the year award. I would like to thank my library colleagues for the recognition of my work and for nominating me. I would not have done it without them. A special thanks to the Library Director, Dr Phaladi, my Manager Mr Siza Radebe and the Alan Pittendrigh Library Colleagues,especially Dr Mousin Omar Saib who has been my mentor and pillar of strength throughout this journey. I am truly grateful and honoured,” said Mbali.

Sarah Khan had this to say upon receiving her community engagement award, “My passion to uplift the community prompted me to join the DUT Library Community Outreach Team, where I am the team leader. I am humbled to be acknowledged for my contributions to community outreach initiatives at the DUT Library’s Staff Recognition Function for 2022. The success of any initiative is through teamwork and I would like to thank the DUT Library Community Outreach Team for their support, assistance and contributions in making all library community outreach initiatives a resounding success,” she reiterated.

Pictured: Some of the library staff at the Library staff recognition awards

Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile/ Sarah Khan

Lethukuthula Ngubane