Department of Information Science honoured with prestigious SASA Golden Presidential Award

The Department of Information Science at the University of South Africa (Unisa) has been honoured for its contribution to the archives and records management profession, receiving the prestigious South African Society of Archivists (SASA) Golden Presidential Award.

The award was presented at the SASA Gala Dinner last month, at Bolivia Lodge in Polokwane. The event brought together archives and records management professionals, academics and industry stakeholders to celebrate excellence and recognise individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to the profession.

Presenting the award, SASA President Dr Maite Manganye commended the department for its sustained contribution to education, research and professional development in the archives and records management sector. She highlighted its role in developing skilled professionals and generating knowledge that continues to strengthen the profession.

The Chair of the Department of Information Science, Professor Makutla Mojapelo, accepted the award on behalf of the department. He expressed his appreciation to SASA for the recognition, describing it as a reflection of the collective efforts and dedication of the department’s academic and professional staff.

Mojapelo said the award recognised the department’s work across teaching, research, community engagement and innovation, as well as its contribution to developing the next generation of information professionals.

The SASA Golden Presidential Award recognises individuals or institutions that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made a lasting contribution to the archives and records management profession. For the Department of Information Science, the award reflects its continued commitment to academic excellence, engaged scholarship and capacity building through quality teaching, impactful research and partnerships with industry and professional bodies.

The department welcomed the recognition and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing excellence in archives and records management. It will continue to equip future information professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to respond to emerging challenges while contributing to the development of the profession in South Africa, across the African continent and internationally.

College of Human Sciences Executive Dean Professor Zethu Nkosi also congratulated the department on the achievement, commending its contribution to the archives and records management sector.

Nkosi said the College’s executive management was confident that the Department of Information Science would continue to make its mark in the field and ensure that every staff member contributes meaningfully to the profession.

She also praised the team’s dedication and professionalism.

“This is a testimony that indeed teamwork makes the dream work,” said Nkosi.

The award is a significant recognition of the department’s contribution to the profession and reinforces its role in developing expertise, advancing research and strengthening the archives and records management sector.

* By Prof Mashilo Modiba, Lecturer in the Department of Information Science