The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Library proudly hosted a successful 2024 Library Staff Recognition Awards function, celebrating dedication and excellence. The event took place on Friday, 14 February 2025, at the BM Patel Library on the ML Sultan campus, bringing together library staff from both the Durban and Midlands campuses in a spirit of appreciation and love.
In the spirit of the month of love, Library management showed their appreciation by giving roses to all the women in attendance and chocolates to all guests. This thoughtful gesture was a way of expressing gratitude and ensuring that everyone felt valued and special.
The event was officially opened by Dr Malefetjane Phaladi, Director of Library Services at DUT, who welcomed everyone and highlighted the purpose of the gathering. He emphasised that the event was meant to celebrate the achievements of 2024, recognise excellence, and reward the commitment of staff members who have represented DUT with distinction both internally and externally including international platforms, presenting papers and guest-lecturing in Malawi, Egypt, Peru, Hungary and Sweden.
He expressed gratitude for their hard work, noting that these awards served as a token of appreciation for their excellence, commitment and contribution to the institution.
Reflecting on the library’s accomplishments over the past year, Dr Phaladi reassured staff that recognition was not limited to those receiving certificates, as every team member played a crucial role in supporting DUT’s academic project.
The ceremony commenced with Long Service Awards, honouring individuals who have dedicated years of service to the DUT Library. Among those recognised were Reshmee Jadoo for 30 years of service, Sarah Khan for 35 years, and Nwabisa Rasana for 15 years of service.
The awards ceremony continued with various categories acknowledging staff members who had made a significant impact on DUT Libraries. The award categories were aligned with the DUT ENVISION2030 four perspectives: Stewardship, Systems and Processes, Sustainability and Society.
Among the categories awarded to staff were Community Engagement, Mentor of the Year, Green Star, Outstanding Operational Support, Conference and Publications, DUT Lived Values and Principles, Inculcating a Culture of Reading, CPD Participation, Innovation and Creativity, and the Library Stakeholder Engagement Award. Additionally, A special “Charm’s Moment” segment was included, allowing library staff members to share heartfelt acknowledgments of colleagues who had positively contributed to their well-being, professionally and personal development at work. Prof Oludayo Olugbara, Executive Dean of Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, and Prof Mheta, Manager of Writing Centre, received Library Stakeholder Engagement Awards for their significant involvement in quad-helix partnerships involving the library.
Dr Phaladi also presented the Library Director’s Recognition Awards to individuals who had demonstrated outstanding performance and represented the library exceptionally well at DUT, locally and internationally in 2024. He emphasised the collective efforts of all staff in maintaining the library’s reputation and flying the DUT flag on the international stage and internally but noted that only four individuals could be awarded. This year’s recipients were Rajena Eswarlal, Romeo Matumba, Sarah Khan, and Mandla Ndaba.
“This year’s award recipients have excelled in their core responsibilities and elevated the library’s impact locally, regionally, and internationally, demonstrating dedication to openness, inclusivity, development, transformation, impact, and sustainability,” concluded Dr Phaladi.
Expressing his gratitude, one of the Director’s Recognition Award recipient, Mandla Ndaba, shared how meaningful the recognition was to him. He stated that being acknowledged by his superiors motivated him to continue his hard work and dedication.
Dr Mousin Omarsaib received multiple awards, including the prestigious Librarian of the Year, and Mentor of the Year awards. In 2024, he published four papers, three of which were published in Q1 high-impact international journals. In total, the Library staff published 13 papers in DHET approved international publications last year. Dr Omarsaib expressed his happiness, attributing his success to the support of his colleagues. He further thanked library staff members, Staff Recognition Awards Function Team, Library Director and his management team for recognising his contributions and believing in his work. As a token of appreciation, Dr Phaladi also presented gifts to all library managers in recognition of their hard work and dedication.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Mr Nhlanhla Nhleko, Manager: Campus Library and Sites, who commended staff members for consistently going the extra mile in their roles. He expressed gratitude to all attendees, stakeholders, the organising team for a sterling job in making this event a success. Nhleko further congratulated the award recipients and encouraged those who were not recognised this time to continue striving for excellence.
Pictured: Director of Library Services at DUT, Dr Malefetjane Phaladi and awardees.
Photographer: Vukani Langa
Sinamile Sithole
