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During the fortnight of 12-26 March 2010, 20 library
professionals from around the country gathered at Leriba
Lodge in Centurion to participate in the second Carnegie
Library Leadership Academy (CLLA). This second Academy
in a series of six was hosted by the Centre for African
Library Leadership (CALL) and the University of Pretoria
Library Services (UPLS) with a grant from the Carnegie
Corporation of New York (CCNY).
The group consisted of 14 academic librarians,
representing 10 academic institutions, and six public
librarians from three different metropolitan councils.
Following an initial call for participation, these 20
participants were selected from 29 applications.
Participants to the Second Carnegie
Library Leadership Academy
Front: David Mahlangu,
Violet Nemalili, Martha de Waal, Ujala Satgoor, Robert
Moropa, Theo Bothma, Annah Matodzi
Back: Jacob Mothutsi, Monyatsi Ramela,
Marna van Rooyen, Jaco Behrens, Khomotso Maphopha,
Nkhensani Mulaudzi, Tebogo Mogakane, Patience Ntuli,
Mark Frier, Nonhlanhla Ngcobo, Theresa Denton, Suzy
Nyakale, Suzette Oosthuizen, Samantha Christians, Mercy
Mokgele, Nkisheng Mphahlele
PARTICIPANTS FROM UPLS
As the main beneficiary of the Carnegie Grant, four
library professionals from the UPLS were chosen to
participate in the second Academy: Jacob Mothutsi,
Tebogo Mogakane, David Mahlangu and Suzy Nyakale.
From left to right: David Mahlangu,
Suzy Nyakale, Jacob Mothutsi and Tebogo Mogakane
ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION
The participants arrived in the beautiful surroundings
of the Leriba Lodge on Friday afternoon 12 March. The
general mood was one of wariness and trepidation. It
was only after the initial introductions that the mood
gradually changed to excitement in anticipation of what
was yet to come. On Sunday 14 March, all the
participants attended the graduation ceremony of the
2009 CLLA participants (see Library intranet news, May
2010). This memorable occasion, motivated the group to
focus on discovering their own leadership potential, to
learn from each other and to explore all aspects of the
programme to the fullest. It was heart-warming to
witness the strong camaraderie and mutual support that
developed amongst the group from the start.
‘Early
birds’ at the registration desk
THE PROGRAMME
The Academy is designed to initiate a paradigm shift
amongst leaders in the LIS profession and the programme
was structured to allow for progressive development of
thought over the two week period. It consisted of
various learning formats and teaching styles. Lectures,
workshops, informal group discussions, library visits,
participation in a simulation game, the assessment of
leadership skills through a leadership descriptor tool,
brain dominance profiling and a healthy element of fun,
created an interactive and stimulating learning
environment. The content covered practical and
theoretical aspects of topics such as Web 2.0
technologies, the national library agenda, the South
African information society, current and future trends
in the LIS sector, the social responsibility of
libraries, African librarianship, organisational
leadership and the dynamic organisation, knowledge
management, marketing and communication, digitisation
and e-learning, library advocacy, and multiculturalism
and the recognition of diversity in the workplace. With
the emphasis on teamwork and the sharing of knowledge
and expertise, all participants wholeheartedly engaged
in practical sessions and the execution of individual
tasks and group assignments.
Participation in individual tasks and
group activities
SPEAKERS AND FACILITATORS
The dynamic group of presenters, course leaders and
facilitators included experts from the LIS sector, the
academic environment and the corporate world. They were
described by the participants as being knowledgeable,
engaging, energetic and entertaining, enthusiastic about
their fields of expertise and transformational in their
thinking. The UPLS was represented by die Library
Director Mr Robert Moropa, Deputy Directors
Hilda Kriel, Heila Pienaar and Ujala
Satgoor, as well as Ria Groenewald,
Antoinette Lourens and Johann van Wyk.
Lecturers from the UP Department of Information Science
included Prof Ann de Boer, Prof Theo Bothma,
Prof Archie Dick, Ms Marietjie Schutte and
Dr Nisha Sewdass. Other speakers from the UP
included Christa North, Prof Deon Rossouw,
and Prof Ronel Rensburg.
Luckily it was not all work and no play…
A simulation game, Pamoja, introduced the participants
to the dynamics of teamwork, the creation of cultural
awareness, practicing negotiating skills and engaging in
the major tasks of organizational leadership, i.e.
vision, management, empowerment, diplomacy, feedback,
and entrepreneurialism.
Playing the crazy game of Pamoja
TIME TO RELAX
 
Finding time to relax with a cup of tea
or taking a brisk walk on the spur of the moment in the
beautiful surroundings of the Lodge (the brave souls in
the picture will remember it was done in rather
uncomfortable shoes)
BRAIN DOMINANCE PROFILING
Who would have thought that the profiling of individual
thinking styles could be refreshingly energetic, with a
lot of fun and laughter? The participants thoroughly
enjoyed to being colour-coded according to their
thinking and whole brain learning preferences. Blue,
green, yellow or red became synonymous with realistic,
sensible, idealistic and emotional thinking.
!
Group work during a whole brain profiling session
HAPPY WINNERS
Following a lucky draw,
Mark Frier, Samantha Christians, Jaco
Behrens and Nkhensani Mulaudzi
were the happy winners of a complimentary
copy of Judi Sandrock’s (second from left)
book entitled:
The art of managing knowledge.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL HILL EXPERIENCE – coming to terms
with reconciliation and cultural integration …
VISIT TO THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SOUTH AFRICA
The participants were invited to the launch of South
African Library Week (SALW) at the National Library of
South Africa (NLSA). The bus trip to the NLSA turned
out to be an exiting outing, with the opportunity to
relax and enjoy the route and scenery into the city
centre of Pretoria. The SALW theme, Reading
changes lives, reiterated the importance of
reading and the role librarians need to play in
encouraging communities to read. As part of the launch
proceedings, different speakers shared their success
stories of South African reading initiatives and the
participants were particularly thrilled by the presence
of the Nobel Laureate Nadine Gordimer and the
second National Poet Laureate in South Africa, Prof
Keorapetse William Kgositsile. The participants also
had the opportunity to learn more about the
de-acidification facility at the NLSA.
VISIT TO THE MERENSKY LIBRARY
A visit to the UPLS and the Tswelopele Smart Centre
RETURN VISITS
During the Academy, the participants had the pleasure of
networking with some UPLS staff members who were able to
attend some sessions immediately related to their work.
Janice de
Wee and Sonto Mabena Susan Marsh, Soekie Swanepoel and
Elna
Randall
with Ujala Satgoor
GALA EVENING
The relaxed atmosphere of the Gala evening provided a
proper closure to two weeks of intense learning and
personal growth, of realising potential and proudly
committing to be the change within the South African LIS
sector.
“Personality of the Academy”
 Congratulations to Jaco Behrens from Tshwane
Community Library Services for being selected as the
‘Personality of the Academy’.
He was described by fellow participants as being
humble, friendly and humorous - helpful, supportive and
accommodating - very professional and informed about the
current LIS sector - and regarded by the ladies as a
true gentleman! You go Jaco!
***
Never in my life before did I learn so much in so little
time. The networking opportunity was invaluable—Jaco
Behrens.
The success of the Second Carnegie Library Leadership
Academy is perhaps best described in the words of the
participants themselves. It is indeed a testimony of
what has already been achieved and what the impact of
future academies will be:
The Academy gave me a new perspective on the importance
of Web 2.0 tools—Julia Ajah-Mvunelwa.
This entire experience has changed my life. Although I
am still a work in progress, I am definitely a better
product. The Academy has given me wings to be an eagle
... —Samantha Christians.
This journey was a life changing experience. Never
before was I exposed to such high quality work,
lecturers and talks that were specifically directed
towards changing behaviours and attitudes. I am
enriched in so many ways and my growth can only benefit
those around me—Theresa Denton.
I was humbled by the quality of library leadership, the
depth of knowledge of the participants and how
informative and socially aware the presenters were—Mark
Frier.
The Academy was an eye opener – it taught me that in
order to succeed in any sphere of life, you need to have
a vision—David Mahlangu.
I intend using the acquired knowledge to improve on
service delivery at my library and to participate in
providing leadership that will take the library
profession forward and ensure its survival in changing
times—Khomotso Maphopha.
The programme was well structured and balanced. The
momentum set during the Academy was very high and will
certainly transfer to the workplace—Annah Matodzi.
Management and leadership are two different things. To
be a leader is a process of guiding the behaviour of
others towards the goal of the organisation—Tebogo
Mogakane.
What a fulfilling two weeks! I feel informed,
knowledgeable, educated, armed, and skilled and
empowered—Mercy Mokgele.
I
have learned that as a leader you should not surround
yourself with followers, but rather develop the people
around you to be leaders that will bring value to the
organisation—Jacob Mothutsi.
From now on, going forward, I will be self-motivated and
passionate about my work, I will commit myself to
excellence, I will do my duties with integrity, I will
inspire my colleagues and be sensitive to the needs of
my clients—Nkhensani Mulaudzi.
A big thank you to the organisers, sponsors, presenters
and those who worked in the background ... a lot has
been put into the Academy and surely a lot has been
gained—Nkisheng Mphahlele.
The Academy gave me the opportunity to learn about
myself, to determine what type of leader I am and how to
improve my leadership style within my own institution—Violet
Nemalili.
The Academy was an extremely useful experience which
will be of great future value—Nonhlanhla Ngcobo.
I am privileged to have been selected as a participant
for the Academy. I have learnt a lot—Patience Ntuli.
My work will be influenced positively henceforth. I
will improve my leadership skills, treat with
sensitivity the diverse nature of my clients, take
ownership and support my institution. The Academy has
been a life changing experience which I will cherish
forever—Suzy Nyakale.
The Academy taught me to be a leader with vision. I
have made new friends, met librarians from all over the
country, learned from different cultures, institutions
and situations—Suzette Oosthuizen.
The Academy broadened my views on management and
leadership. I am now encouraged to take risks and do
things differently. It was two weeks of hard work and
challenging learning opportunities. I am thankful for
being selected to participate—Monyatsi Ramela.
After two weeks I can hold my head high and say with
pride: I am a librarian and the work that I do is
important. The knowledge that I have gained will help
me to make a difference—Marna van Rooyen.
***
It has been a privilege to be a part of the second
Carnegie Library Leadership Academy - an awesome journey
with twenty outstanding library professionals, who
proved to be devoted and focused to make a difference to
the future of library leadership in South Africa.
Thank you Ujala!
The third Carnegie Library Leadership Academy will be
hosted from 5-19 November 2010. All enquiries may be
directed to the CALL Project Co-ordinator.
Submitted by Martha de Waal (martha.dewaal@up.ac.za)
Contributed by Martha de
Waal |
Groot pret was Bokkie Malan wat alle funksies gereël
het. Sy het elke week in die teekamer ander vrolike
tafeldoeke oor die tafels gegooi en vir iets anders
gesorg en dit selfs met blomme versier. Sy het ook as
Prof Gerryts verjaar het ‘n groot fees in die teekamer
gemaak deur die plek te verfraai en dan het die
biblioteek ook ‘n koor gehad wat dan altyd by so ‘n
geleentheid opgetree en gesing het. Die koor het in Die
Aula ook aan ‘n serenadekompetisie deelgeneem en nogal
gewen! 
I find it challenging to work in the library, especially
with all the technology changes. Some days I even have
to help students find their books as they have forgotten
where they had hidden them! But after so many years as a
bookshelver, I still enjoy working in the library!”
Please read this very
interesting article by researchers from the Department
of Communication Pathology and protect your ears if you
plan to attend one of the matches: ‘
