Academic Profiles

Prof N Saurombe

College of Human Sciences
School of Arts
Department: Information Science
Associate Professor
Tel: 012 429 8041
E-mail: mnkennp@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications

  • B. Bibl. University of Fort Hare
  • B.Bibl. Honours University of Fort Hare
  • M. Bibl. University of Cape Town
  • D.Litt et Phil. University of South Africa
  • Certificate in Internal Quality Assurance, University of Potsdam, Germany

NRF Rating

Y2

Currently teaching

  • Management of Libraries and Information Centres
  • Knowledge Management
  • Archives and Records Management

Fields of academic interests

  • Public programming of archives and archival outreach
  • Decolonising archives
  • Information literacy
  • School and community libraries

Field of Specialisation

  • Archives and Records Management
  • Information for Development- Community /Public Libraries
  • School Libraries and Information Literacy

Books

Book Chapters

  • Saurombe, N. 2019. Raising awareness about public archives in east and southern Africa through social media, in Handbook of research on advocacy, promotion, and public programming. Editor: P. Ngulube. IGI Global: USA. P. 160- 181.
  • Wessels N., Mnkeni-Saurombe N., and Knoetze H. 2014. Narratives of information literacy inSouth African township schools. In Information literacy- Lifelong learning and digital citizenship in the  21st Century. Editors: Kurbanoglu S., Spiranec S., Grassian E., Mizrachi D., and Catts R.Rotterdam: Springerlink. P. 297-308.

Journal articles

Journal Articles (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9829-2093)

 

  • Schellnack-Kelly, I and Saurombe, N. 2021. The role of historians in guiding archivists to open up collections and promote access to archives in South Africa. Comma: 49-61.
  • Mojapelo M., Modiba M and Saurombe N. 2021. Applying Batho Pele principles in South African public archives- Do public programming initiatives count? Information Development. Online first, Available: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F02666669211049382
  • Ngoepe M and Saurombe N. 2021. Africanisation of the South African archival curriculum: a preliminary study of undergraduate courses in an open distance e-learning environment. Education for Information 37 (2021): 53- 68.
  • Saurombe N. 2020. Taking archives to the people: an examination of public programmes in the National Archives of the Eastern and Southern Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives. Archives and Manuscripts 48: 25- 44.
  • Kau, J.; Ngoepe, M. and Saurombe N. 2019. Let the little children come to the archives: schools as a conduit for taking archives to children. ESARBICA Journal 38 (1): 107- 123.
  • Saurombe N. 2018. Decolonising higher education curricula in South Africa: factoring in archives through public programming initiatives. Archival Science 18: 119- 141.
  • Saurombe, N. and Ngulube P. 2018. To collaborate or not to collaborate-that is the question: raising the profile of public archives in east and southern Africa. Information Development 34: 162-181.
  • Ngulube P., Ngoepe M., Saurombe N., and Chaterera F. 2017. Towards a uniform strategy for taking archives to the people in South Africa: can we really build the Tower of Babel? ESARBICA Journal 36: 74- 93.
  • Zulu, P., Ngoepe M.S. and Saurombe N. 2017. Implications of legislation on the provision of national public library services in Zambia. Mousaion. 35 (4): 1-20.
  • Zulu, P., Ngoepe M.S. and Saurombe N. 2017. The importance of legislation in the provision of national and public library services in Zambia. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science. 49 (2): 152-164.
  • Saurombe, N. and Ngulube P. 2016. Perceptions of user studies as a foundation for public programming activities by archivists from east and southern Africa. ESARBICA Journal 35:29-45.
  • Saurombe N. and Ngulube P. 2016. Public programming skills of archivists in selected national memory institutions of east and southern Africa. Mousaion 34 (1): 23- 42.
  • Mnkeni-Saurombe N. and Zimu N. 2015. Towards tackling inequalities in South Africa: the role of community libraries. Information Development 31(1):40-52.
  • Mnkeni-Saurombe N. 2015. Information literacy: a cornerstone for open distance learning at the University of South Africa. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 47 (2) 156-165.
  • Mutungi B., Majanja M., and Mnkeni-Saurombe. 2014. The status of school libraries in Kenya: the case of public secondary schools in Nairobi County. Mousaion 32 (2):150-172.
  • Kamatula G., Mnkeni-Saurombe N. and Mosweu O. 2013. The role of archives in the promotion of documentary national heritage in Tanzania, South Africa and Botswana. ESARBICA Journal 32:114-136.
  • Onyancha OB., Mokwatlo KI. and Mnkeni-Saurombe N. 2013. An informetric study of the cited references in archival research in sub-Saharan Africa: A measure of the archival researchers’ preferences?  ESARBICA Journal 32:67-77.
  • Wessels N. and Mnkeni-Saurombe N. 2012. Teacher’s use of a school library in a South African township school; closing the literacy gap. South African Journal of Library and Information Science. 78 (1):45-56.
  • Saurombe A. and Mnkeni-Saurombe N. 2011. Taking stock of the 2010 FIFA World Cup: Did it live to expectations of being ‘the African World Cup’? Commonwealth Youth and Development. 9(2): 51-60.
  • Ngulube P., Modisane C & Mnkeni-Saurombe N. 2011. Disaster preparedness and the strategic management of public records in South Africa: guarding against collective cultural amnesia. information    Development 27 (4): 239-250
  • Mnkeni- Saurombe. 2010. The impact of the 2009 economic recession on public/community library services in South Africa: perceptions of librarians from the Metropolitan Municipality of Tshwane. Mousaion. 28 (1): 89- 105.
  • Mnkeni N.P. and Nassimbeni M. 2008. The effectiveness of teacher librarians in primary schools: the experience of the Melani school libraries in the Eastern Cape. Mousaion. 26 (2):1-21.

 

Paper presentations

  • Saurombe, N; Ngoepe, M and Matshotshwane J. 2022. Towards inclusive archives through the collection of sport memories at the Gauteng Provincial Archives in South Africa. Annual Conference of the International Council on Archives. Rome, Italy. September 19 -23, 2023.
  • Saurombe, N. and Schellnack-Kelly, I. 2022. History a compulsory subject in South African High Schools from 2023- are archivists ready? Annual Conference of the South African Society of Archivists, Bloemfontein, South Africa. July 05 -08, 2022.
  • Mojapelo, M; Saurombe N and Modiba M. 2021. Applying Batho Pele Principles in South African public archives- do public programming initiatives count? The 2nd University of South Africa International Conference on Library and Information Science Research (UNILISA). Pretoria, South Africa. Online. March 8- 10, 2021.
  • Saurombe, N. 2020. What is quality; and how is it measured? College of Education Quality Assurance and Enhancement Workshop/Webinar. Online. July 23, 2020.
  • Svard, P. Ngoepe, M and Saurombe N. 2019. The use of archives to promote reconciliation,transformation and decolonisation: the case of South Africa. Annual Conference of the Archival Education and Research Institute (AERI). Liverpool, United Kingdom: July 8-12, 2019.
  • Saurombe, N. 2019. Celebrating 50 years of ESARBICA- A reality check on taking archives to the people: past record and prospects for the future. The XXV Biennial ESARBICA Conference. Gaborone, Botswana: September 13- 15, 2019.
  • Saurombe N. 2018. The role of archival legislation and policies in rendering public programming initiatives: the case of selected national archives from east and southern Africa. Annual Conference of the International Council on Archives, Yaoundé Conference Centre, Yaoundé, Cameroon: November 26- 28, 2018.
  • Saurombe N. 2018. Promoting transparency: the state of and challenges of archives and records management practise in South Africa. Archives*Records, COSA*NAGARA*SAA Annual Conference. Washington DC, United States of America: August 12- 16, 2018.
  • Saurombe N. 2017. The role of archives in the decolonisation of the higher education curriculum in South Africa. International Workshop. Maintaining the facts infrastructure in the era of post-truth politics. Stockholm, Sweden: September 19- 20, 2017.
  • Saurombe N. 2016. Taking archives to the people: a proposed framework for the National Archives of   East and Southern Africa. The 2016 UNISA School of Arts Conference, Kgorong, UNISA Muckleneuk    Campus, Pretoria: September 13-15, 2016.
  • Saurombe N. and Ngulube P. 2015. To collaborate or not to collaborate that is the question- raising awareness about public archives in the national archives of east and southern Africa. The 3rd Annual Conference of the International Council on Archives, The Hilton Hotel, Reykjavik, Iceland: September 28-29, 2015.
  • Saurombe N. and Ngulube P. 2015. Users as the foundation of public programming initiatives in the ESARBICA region: a perspective from the national archives of the East and Southern Africa Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (ESARBICA) The XXIII ESARBICA Biennial Conference, Elephant Hills Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe: June 8-12, 2015.
  • Ngulube P., Ngoepe M., Saurombe N., and Chaterera F. 2015. Towards a uniform strategy for taking archives to the people in South Africa: can we really build the Tower of Babel? The XXIII ESARBICA Biennial Conference, Elephant Hills Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe: June 8-12, 2015.
  • Mnkeni-Saurombe N. and Ngulube P. 2014. Skills and knowledge of archivists on public programming: a perspective from the national archives in the ESARBICA region. South African Society of Archivists Annual Conference, Mpumalanga Provincial Archives, Nelspruit: July 11, 2014.
  • Mutungi, B., Majanja M., and Mnkeni-Saurombe N. 2013. The status of school libraries in Kenya: the case of public secondary schools in Nairobi County. PROLISSA Conference. St. Georges’ Hotel and Conference Centre: March 5-8, 2013.
  • Mnkeni-Saurombe N. 2012. Information literacy: a cornerstone for open distance learning: preliminary findings. College of Law ODL Conference. Unisa, Sunny Side Campus, Pretoria:  April 20, 2012.
  • Mnkeni-Saurombe N. 2012. Information literacy: a cornerstone for open distance learning. IFLA Satellite Meeting. Tampere, Finland: August 8-10, 2012.
  • Ngulube, P., Modisane, C & Mnkeni-Saurombe, N. 2011. Disaster preparedness and the strategic management of public records in South Africa: guarding against collective cultural amnesia. The XXI ESARBICA Biennial Conference. Joaquin Chissano International Conference centre, Maputo Mozambique: June 04- 08 2011.
  • Mnkeni- Saurombe N. and Zimu. N. 2011.  Eliminating illiteracy, eradicating inequalities, and building an informed nation: an overview of the Department of Arts and Culture’s community libraries’ conditional grant strategy. Annual HSRC Social Science Conference. Boksburg: September 7-8, 2011.
  • Onyancha OB., Mnkeni- Saurombe N., Mokwatlo K., Maluleka, J and Burger, M.  2011. Developing a glossary of terms using informetric approaches: methodological issues. University of Zululand’s Department of information science Annual Conference. Empangeni: 14-15 September 2011.
  • Mnkeni- Saurombe, N. 2010. Weathering the 2009 economic storm in South Africa: can public librarians make a difference?  12th Annual LIASA Conference, St. Georges’ Hotel and Conference Centre: September 29, 2010.
  • Wessels, N and Mnkeni- Saurombe, N. 2010. Innovation in School Libraries in townships: a case study. 12th Annual LIASA Conference, St. Georges’ Hotel and Conference Centre: September 29, 2010.
  • Wessels, N. and Mnkeni- Saurombe, N. 2010. Reading promotion in a township library: a school librarian’s story. 2nd UNISA Conference on Reading Promotion and Storytelling Festival for Children. Unisa Muckleneuk Campus: October 8, 2010.
  • Mnkeni-Saurombe, N. 2009. ‘DO IT’ being creative in tough times: the impact of the ongoing recession on South African Public libraries. Annual LIS Research Symposium, Unisa SBL: July 30-31, 2009.

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

  • South African Society of Archivists (SASA): Member
  • Expert Group on Research Services and Outreach (EGRSO), International Council on Archives (ICA): Co-Chair
  • ARMA International Education Foundation (AIEF): Committee member

Projects

PROJECTS

UNISA Community Engagement/ Engaged Scholarship Project –Taking Archives to the People in South Africa (Team member)

NRF Grant- Research Development Grant for Y-Rated Researchers - Decolonising Archives- Building an inclusive archive at the Gauteng Provincial Archives Repository (Project leader)

InterPares Trust AI Project –Investigating the Use of AI technologies in the Realm of E-Government Development. (Team member)

 

Management Secondment

  • College of Human Sciences- Coordinator: Postgraduate Student Affairs. 2019
  • College of Human Sciences- Head: Academic Quality Assurance and Enhancement. 2020
  • College of Human Sciences- Manager: Tuition, Community Engagement, and Student Support. 2021

Other

Postgraduate Student Supervision

  • Current Projects: 7 Masters and 8 PhD students

 

Completed:

  • Imoro, O. 2022. Technical and managerial challenges to the sustainability of institutional repositories of public universities in Ghana. PhD in Information Science. University of South Africa, Pretoria.
  • Nzara, J, 2022. Role of school libraries in promoting a reading culture in four high schools in Chinoyi, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe. Master’s in information science
  • Manganye, MS. 2021. Examination of archival public programming initiatives at the Limpopo Provincial Archives. Master’s in information science, University of South Africa, Pretoria.
  • Maduyu, G. 2020. Marketing of library and information services and products in tertiary education institutions: a case study of Gweru Polytechnic College Library in Zimbabwe. Master’s in information science, University of South Africa, Pretoria. (With Prof M Fombad)
  • Shigwedha, JJON. 2020. Access and use of electronic resources by students at the selected campuses of the University of Namibia. Master’s in information science. University of South Africa, Pretoria.
  • Seriti, ME. 2019. Knowledge retention in the Department of Roads and Transport in Limpopo Province. Master’s in information science. University of South Africa, Pretoria. (with Prof L. Dube)
  • Kau, Modiegi Jacqueline. 2019. Schools as a conduit for taking archives to children in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Master’s in information science. University of South Africa, Pretoria, (with Prof M. Ngoepe)
  • Mbugua, Nancy .2018. Information and communication technologies for knowledge management processes in the public sector in Kenya: A case study of the State Department of Infrastructure, Master’s in information science. University of South Africa, Pretoria, http://hdl.handle.net/10500/24510 (with Prof M. Fombad)
  • Zulu, Paul. 2014 The importance of legislation in the provision of national and public library services in Zambia. Master’s of Arts in Information Science. University of South Africa, Pretoria, http://hdl.handle.net/10500/18572  (with Prof M. Ngoepe)
  • Mutungi, Benjamin Kasyoki.2012. The status of school libraries in Kenya: the case of public secondary schools in Nairobi County. Master’s of Arts in Information Science. University of South Africa, Pretoria, http://hdl.handle.net/10500/8765  (with Prof M. Majanja)

 

Other

Postgraduate Student Supervision

  • Current Projects: 3 Masters and 4 PhD students

Completed:

  • Manganye, MS. 2021. Examination of archival public programming initiatives at the LimpopoProvincial Archives. Master in Information Science, University of South Africa, Pretoria.
  • Maduyu, G. 2020. Marketing of library and information services and products in tertiary education institutions: a case study of Gweru Polytechnic College Library in Zimbabwe. Master in Information Science, University of South Africa, Pretoria. (with Prof M Fombad)
  • Shigwedha, JJON. 2020. Access and use of electronic resources by students at the selected campuses ofthe University of Namibia. Master in Information Science. University of South Africa, Pretoria.
  • Seriti, ME. 2019. Knowledge retention in the Department of Roads and Transport in Limpopo Province.Master in Information Science. University of South Africa, Pretoria. (with Prof L. Dube)
  • Kau, Modiegi Jacqueline. 2019. Schools as a conduit for taking archives to children in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Master in Information Science. University of South Africa, Pretoria, (with Prof M. Ngoepe)
  • Mbugua, Nancy .2018. Information and communication technologies for knowledge management processes in the public sector in Kenya: A case study of the State Department of Infrastructure, Masters in Information Science. University of South Africa, Pretoria, http://hdl.handle.net/10500/24510 (with Prof M. Fombad)
  • Zulu, Paul. 2014 The importance of legislation in the provision of national and public library services  in Zambia. Masters of Arts in Information Science. University of South Africa,Pretoria, http://hdl.handle.net/10500/18572  (with Prof M. Ngoepe)
  • Mutungi, Benjamin Kasyoki.2012. The status of school libraries in Kenya: the case of public secondary             schools in Nairobi County. Masters of Arts in Information Science. University of South Africa, Pretoria, http://hdl.handle.net/10500/8765  (with Prof M. Majanja)