Celebrating diversity and talent: LIAZ emerges as overall winner of the SCECSAL Cultural Evening 2024 contest

Some LIAZ members and the guests of honour 

The SCECSAL Cultural Evening held on 24 April at the Mombasa Continent Resort was a vibrant
celebration of cultural diversity and talent within the library and information profession in the SCECSAL region. With more than 150 enthusiastic participants from across Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, the event offered a dazzling array of performances that exceeded all expectations.

From traditional dances to storytelling, the evening was a testament to the diverse talents of library and information professionals. Each country brought its own flair, so the event contained a rich spectrum of cultures and traditions.

KLA members during the dancing competition

In a closely contested competition, the Library and Information Association of Zambia (LIAZ) emerged as the overall winner, securing its fourth victory since its first success at the SCECSAL Cultural Evening in Johannesburg 2002. The performance from LIAZ not only showcased an innovative approach that blended dancing, libraries issues and the SDGs, but also great attention to detail in costume and organization. Botswana claimed the second position, impressing the judges with their originality and humorous presentations. Meanwhile, Lesotho's enthusiasm shone through, earning them the top spot in the Enthusiasm Category.

The jury, consisting of esteemed personalities such as Dr. Charles Ngui Nzivo, Prof. Clara Chu and Getrude Kayanga Mulindwa, had the difficult task of evaluating the performances. Their expertise ensured fairness and transparency throughout the event.

Kay Raseroka from Botswana telling a story

One of the highlights of the evening was the dancing competition, a tradition dating back to the SCECSAL conferences since 2000. It has become a highly anticipated part of the event, showcasing not only the participants' dancing skills but also their camaraderie and passion for cultural exchange.

The highlight of the Cultural evening is always the dance competition, a tradition that dates back to the SCECSAL conference in Windhoek, Namibia in 2000. The Cultural Evening has become a highly anticipated part of the the SCECSAL conferences. 

As Zambia clinched the trophy and the honour of keeping it permanently, plans are already underway to unveil a new Cultural Evening trophy at the SCECSAL conference in 2026, which incidentally will be hosted by LIAZ in the city of Livingstone, the home of the Victoria Falls. 

The members of the jury

The SCECSAL Cultural Evening serves as a reminder of the profound impact that cultural exchange and collaboration can have within the LIS community. Beyond professional development, it provides a platform for personal growth, friendship, and celebration. As we look forward to future editions of SCECSAL conferences, let us continue to embrace diversity, nurture talent, and uphold the spirit of inclusivity that defines the LIS profession in the region.

A Glimpse into the Future of Public Libraries in Africa

Books in a public library

Public libraries in most countries in Africa are top on the list of the most neglected public institutions. Most public libraries are under-funded, stocked with old and sometimes out-dated publications (the only latest publications being daily newspapers), lack access to modern information and communication technologies (ICTs), and their staff lag behind in current developments and techniques in information and knowledge management. With this type of profile, is there a future for public libraries in Africa?

Discussions at the first ever African Public Libraries Summit (APLS) 2012, held at Indaba Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, 19–21 September 2012, revealed that while some public libraries are almost on stand still, others are making good progress by being innovative and adopting modern ICTs. A good case was presented from Botswana.


Ms Ruth B. Maphorisa

Ms. Ruth B. Maphorisa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, Botswana, shared the experience of her government’s Sesigo - Botswana e-Public Libraries project. Under the project, public libraries in the country are providing access to computers, computer training and internet access to Batswana. The libraries are also providing space for homework clubs, health talks,  lifeline youth meetings, unemployment workshops and training sessions, book reading clubs,  English learning sessions and talk shows involving professionals from different fields including health, education and social welfare. The project is being implemented by her Ministry in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships (ACHAP).

Ms. Magdeline Engleton

Ms. Magdeline Engleton, Senior Library Officer, Botswana National Library Service, based Molalatau Village Library, shared her experience in running and providing information and library services to rural communities. Her library engages with community members to identify their needs, and gets them involved in the Library activities. She is providing computer training, Internet services, and helping the youths in the community to search for jobs. These services, which are beyond the traditional public libraries’ services, are attracting community members to the Library.

Although external international organizations are involved in the working in the Sesigo - Botswana e-Public Libraries project, it was clear from the discussions that the success of the initiative is largely because of the Government’s commitment and support to public libraries. The Permanent Secretary participating in the entire three-day meeting, which focused on public libraries, is proof of this support.

What is the status of public libraries in other African countries? Do they have a future? Will they end up like the extinct dinosaur?

About 127 delegates attended APLS 2012 from 53 countries out of which 43 were African countries.

Highlights from the SCECSAL 2010 Official Opening Session

Source of image: "Libraries must change strategy", Daily News (Botswana), 10 December 2010

By Poloko Ntokwane

Mrs Kgomotso Radijeng: Welcome Remarks

During her welcome remarks the President of Botswana Library Association Mrs Kgomotso Radijeng said that the main focus of the theme “Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance through Effective Information and Knowledge Services” is to interrogate the role that free flow of information can play in contributing to Democracy, Good Governance, social equality and economic growth within our nations. She further highlighted that information and knowledge services are at the epicentre of a world wind of change. According to Radijeng the digital age is revolutionizing the way we live our lives and that access to ICTs is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Technological changes have the potential to revolutionize the delivery of effective Library, Information and Knowledge services. Our challenge as information professionals is to ensure that Governments and businesses are encouraged to invest efficiently, so that the average citizen will have access to the emergent technologies and that these technological and developmental changes enhance democracy and Good Governance. Another important aspect raised by Radijeng is that “Library, Information and Knowledge Services must remain relevant in order to realize their missions. In this regard, SCECSAL member associations must continue to present themselves as willing and capable partners in enhancing Democracy and Good Governance through the provision of effective and efficient Library, Information and Knowledge Services.



Mr Thapelo Ndlovu MISA Botswana –Key Note Address

Giving a key note address at the conference Mr Thapelo Ndlovu of MISA Botswana who is Expression/Media Activist said that it is important that any government must strive to put measures in place that would make it easy for people to access information. He commended Government of Botswana for coming up with such facilities as Kitsong Centres and Nteletsa projects which make communication easier. He said if a person does not have access to information it is impossible to discuss the range of political options that are freely open to them and it will be impossible to vote according to your own beliefs and values. Mr Mpofu stressed the importance of information as central to human development. He said the community at any level, local or broader, use information for their economic, social and political uplifting. In this age a community without a library faces virtual extinction. The absence of information by some in the society could lead to confrontations and even civil disaffections. The speaker said that the internet has effectively become a virtual library and it is important that the library society view it as a positive development that would complement the traditional library.

Mr Shaw Kgati- Minister of Sport Youth and Culture- Opening Speech

Mr Shaw Kgati said there is a need for libraries to shift from being book oriented to information communication technology to cater for all sectors of the society. He said libraries were becoming irrelevant due to social networks making it imperative to re-align their strategies by becoming more innovative and creative. He emphasised the importance of information to the life of any society so it should be shared and made available. The minister said so far in Botswana 17 out of 29 villages enjoy free access to information through connectivity at public libraries and this has been realise through the partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Sesigo project.

SCECSAL Comes to Botswana for the Second Time

For the second time since the establishment of the then Standing Conference of Eastern and Southern Africa Librarians (SCECSAL) in 1974, the Botswana Library Association will be hosting the SCECSAL Conference from 1 – 3 December 2010. Librarians in Botswana last hosted SCECSAL in 1988 under the theme Libraries and Literacy. The theme for SCECSAL XIX Conference to be held at the University of Botswana in Gaborone is Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance Through Effective Information and Knowledge Services.

About 40 papers will be presented at the Conference (now called Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Library and Information Associations) by library and information specialists coming from as far as the United States and Italy. Papers to be presented include:

• Towards a democratic society: the role of Libraries in facilitating Social Equality andEconomic growth in Uganda - Caroline Kobusingye and Monica Naluwooza (Uganda).


• Making of a Botswana Information Society Through Access to Information Communication Technologies - Sebusang E.M. Sebusang, Tshepo Maswabi, Tiroyamodimo Sethate Resego Taolo (Botswana).


• Public libraries in a world society – what’s happening - Sarah Webb (USA).


• The Role of Internet in the Provision of Information for National Development and Political Education: a Hyperlink Analysis of SADC E-government Websites - A. Akakandelwa (Zambia).


• Supporting Human Rights in Africa: The Library of the African Union Court on Human and Peoples Rights - Fidelis K.Mutisya (Tanzania).


• Open Source Software deployment at the National Library of South Africa with reference to Suse Linux migration - Lesiba S Ledwaba & John K Tsebe (South Africa).


• Open access to information as a means of creating an enabling environment to democracy and good governance: the case of Chancellor College Institutional Repository - Dickson Vuwa-Phiri &Francis Kachala (Malawi).


• Public Libraries in their communities: a catalyst for change - Monika Segbert (Italy).

Over the years, SCECSAL Conferences attract a lot of interest from several professionals in the field in the SCECSAL region, the rest of Africa and outside Africa. The SCECSAL XIX Conference will be no exception.