Joburg librarian’s award highlights power of public libraries to change lives

A love of reading that began in high school has led City of Johannesburg Senior Librarian Nomfundo Ngidi to national recognition, with her Best Oral Presenter award at the recent Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) 2026 conference, celebrating her commitment to knowledge and community empowerment. Based at Noordgesig Library, Ngidi received the award for her presentation on how the City makes public library services accessible through digital platforms, including its website, mobile application and Facebook page.

It was her first conference presentation, making the recognition particularly meaningful.

“Nothing is impossible," she said.

Her journey into librarianship began during her high school years, when she spent most of her lunch in the school library. A book titled Nothing but the Truth, featuring a librarian as its main character, sparked her interest in the profession. She credits her school librarian for applying on her behalf to study towards becoming a librarian.

Growing up in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal, she did not always see libraries as welcoming spaces. Today, her work has given her a deeper appreciation of their role in creating opportunities and providing access to information. “Public libraries are not just physical places where you can borrow books; they are very safe spaces for communities."

Ngidi joined the City as a librarian at Diepkloof Zone 5 Library in July 2022. She was appointed senior librarian in November 2025, taking on additional responsibilities for library operations, staff performance and the delivery of information services. Preparing for the LIASA conference involved extensive research, consultations with colleagues and guidance from Libraries and Information Service's (LIS) e-Learning Manager Jeff Nyoka. The experience also broadened her thinking about how libraries can connect with communities.

One of her ideas is a LIS podcast that could showcase library programmes and share information with wider audiences through digital platforms. She was also inspired by a presentation about a rural library in Limpopo that records indigenous stories by visiting elders and community leaders. She believes a similar initiative could help Johannesburg libraries preserve local histories, cultural practices and traditional knowledge for future generations.

MMC for Community Development Cllr Thapelo Amad congratulated Ngidi.

“Nomfundo's achievement is a proud moment for the City. Her recognition shows that our employees have the potential to excel and make a meaningful contribution to the library and information services sector. We congratulate her on this well-deserved achievement and encourage her to continue inspiring others through her work."

For Ngidi, the award is also a tribute to her late grandmother, who was her biggest supporter. She had named her Nomfundo for a reason: to learn and teach others. Ngidi believes she is living up to that name.

Written by Mpho Lebese
23/10/2026

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