The IFLA Sub Saharan Africa Regional Division Committee is of the opinion that, the world we live in keeps evolving and as such, both hard and soft skills are essential for navigating successfully the path forward. As such, knowing our needs is key and having a mentor is equally a perfect resource for learning the best strategies to accomplish the goals we aspire to achieve.

In view of the above, we bring you two presentations:

Presentation 1 : Needs of an emerging leader by Mr Francis Ssekitto

Mr. Francis Ssekitto is An Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Records & Archives Management, East African School of Library & Information Science, College of Computing and Information Sciences, Makerere University. He is  well experienced instructor and the Coordinator for Distance, Open and e-Learning  Coordinator for the East African School of Library & Information Science.

His research interests are:

  1. Information and Privacy
  2. Information behaviour
  3. E-Learning and Information Management
  4. Health Information Behaviour

Presentation 2:  Mentorship and Collaboration: Benefits and challenges by Dr. Buhle Mbambo-Thata         

Dr. Buhle Mbambo-Thata assumed duty as the University Librarian of the National University of Lesotho on 30 January, 2020. She holds the following qualifications: DPHIL (Information Science) from University of Pretoria; MLS from University of Botswana; Postgraduate Diploma in Library Studies from University of Botswana and; BSc in Sociology from University of Zimbabwe. Dr. Mbambo-Thata brings a wealth of experience to the leadership of NUL library service. Prior to her appointment, she served a term as the Director-Resources Development of the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA).  Before that role, she led two large university libraries. Between 2006 and 2016 she was Executive Director, Library Services, University of South Africa (UNISA). Between 2001 and 2006 she was University Librarian of the University of Zimbabwe (UZ). In the early days of her career she was Senior Librarian at the University of Botswana (UB) 1995-2001; Social Science Librarian, University of Botswana 1990-1995 and Librarian, Hillside Teacher’s College, Zimbabwe 1988-1990, and trainee librarian 1985-1887. Dr. Mbambo-Thata is a leader whose work spans international and continental work to advance the library sector as a key player in education and development. She has facilitated library consortium development in many countries in Africa, including Lesotho. She serves on boards of library develop organisations internationally. Her work on library development in Africa is extensive. Dr. Mbambo-Thata is a distinguished librarian whose knowledge and expertise has been recognised with the following awards: the IFLA Medal for Distinguished service to Libraries in Africa; “the UNISA woman of the year” award, as well as the “Chancellor’s award for distinguished leadership”. She has edited three books and published in several referred journals. Her research interests are in women and ICT, and in technology applications in libraries. She is passionate about library development generally, and in Africa in particular.  She is also passionate about mentoring librarians.