From a small village in Bolobedu to becoming a continental voice in archives and records management, Lyborn Mabapa embodies how Unisa’s Department of Information Science empowers students to transform their lives and communities.

Raised in Moleketla Village, Ga-Modjadji (Tzaneen), Mabapa’s journey was shaped by her mother, a single parent and street vendor who worked tirelessly to ensure her daughter’s education. Witnessing her mother’s perseverance inspired Mabapa to excel academically and break barriers through education.

Her passion for information and knowledge was ignited at Unisa, where she pursued studies in Information Science. Through the university’s flexible learning model, she was able to balance work, study and personal commitments, turning challenges into opportunities.

"Unisa gave me the flexibility and confidence to grow, both personally and professionally," she reflects.

Lyborn Mabapa

After completing a Master’s Degree in Information Science (cum laude) and earning the Council Award for Best Performance, Mabapa’s career flourished. She began as an Information Management, Risk and Compliance Intern at the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRLR), where she managed vital records that support South Africa’s land reform initiatives.

Her determination led her to the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (NARSSA), where she now serves as Head of Filing Systems, a pivotal role in shaping records management policy, strengthening governance, and preserving the nation’s documentary heritage.

In recognition of her academic excellence, she received the 2024 ARMA International Education Foundation Scholarship for PhD studies and is currently pursuing a PhD in Information Science with Unisa, continuing her commitment to research and professional growth.

Archives, she believes, are far more than collections of old documents; they are instruments of justice, transparency and national identity. Her work ensures that future generations inherit a reliable record of South Africa’s history and transformation.

Beyond national borders, Mabapa’s leadership resonates across the continent. She has played a vital role in both the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (ESARBICA) and the South African Society of Archivists (SASA), promoting archives as tools for good governance and sustainable development.

As a secretariat member, she helped coordinate the 2023 ESARBICA Biennial Conference in South Africa – the first major post-pandemic gathering, which attracted more than 530 delegates. By 2025, she had advanced to Session Chair and Rapporteur at the XXVIII ESARBICA Biennial Conference in Zimbabwe, marking her evolution from participant to continental leader.

Passionate about inclusivity and empowerment, Mabapa mentors emerging records professionals, especially women and individuals from rural areas. A combination of compassion, integrity and innovation characterises her leadership philosophy.

"I want young professionals to see archives not as dusty collections, but as living tools for justice and development," she says.

Her mentorship and advocacy continue to inspire a new generation of archivists who view the profession as a vehicle for empowerment and social change.

Mabapa’s journey has been shaped by mentors whose guidance inspired her pursuit of excellence. From her student days at the University of Limpopo, she admired Prof Mpho Ngoepe, whose groundbreaking work in archival science continues to inspire her.

"Professor Ngoepe’s achievements remind me that excellence is not a destination but a journey of continuous learning and contribution," she says. "His leadership and humility have taught me to approach my work with integrity and purpose."

Equally influential was Erna-Marie Pretorius, Mabapa’s former supervisor at NARSSA’s Records Management Division.

"Ms Pretorius believed in me and invested her time in helping me grow both professionally and personally," she reflects. "Her compassion and professionalism showed me that true mentorship is grounded in ubuntu — caring for others while uplifting the profession."

Mabapa’s story is a proud reflection of Unisa’s Department of Information Science, which continues to nurture professionals who merge academic excellence with social impact. Her journey demonstrates that with education, perseverance and purpose, Unisa graduates can indeed lead Africa’s information and knowledge revolution.

* By Itumeleng Mpete, Marketing Coordinator, Library and Information Services, and Dr Joseph Matshotswane, Lecturer, Department of Information Science