Overview of CHELSA

Who is CHELSA?

The Committee for Higher Education Libraries of South Africa (CHELSA) is a registered non-profit organisation (140-828-NPO) representing the interests of libraries in the public higher education sector.

Strategic Aim

CHELSA aims to to create a collaborative ecosystem where member institutions can collectively enhance their services and adapt to the evolving information landscape through adopting the following vision and mission:

Our Vision

CHELSA aspires to be a leading higher education and research library consortium that advances ethical leadership, open scholarship, and research innovation by transforming library practices to respond to emerging realities and by fostering academic excellence and the development of a learning society.

Our Mission

CHELSA provides visionary and transformational leadership to empower higher education and research libraries with innovative services and programmes that ensure optimal access to information. Through collaboration, open knowledge initiatives, and digital transformation, we support learning, teaching, research, community development, and scholarly excellence.

Areas not covered by CHELSA:

While CHELSA represents the interests of libraries in public higher education institutions, it does not speak on behalf of these institutions in operational matters.

CHELSA is not in a position to act on behalf of its members about the following:

  • Distribution of surveys/questionnaires to South African university library staff on behalf of researchers.
  • Receipt or delivery of curriculum vitae on behalf of job applicants to university libraries.
  • Provision of advice to authors on copyright, sale, circulation, or other matters pertaining to publications.

For these and other queries, please consult the list of links on our Contact Us page.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee manages the affairs of CHELSA in accordance with resolutions of General Meetings and in accordance with the Powers of CHELSA. A minimum of 6 persons serve on the Executive Committee.

CHELSA Executive Committee for the term 2024 - 2026 term are:

Members:

Chairperson: Nomawethu Danster (Rhodes University)

Chairperson-Elect: Jeannet Molopyane (University of the Free State)

Secretary: Sanele Kunene (Tshwane University of Technology)

Treasurer: Magodongo Mahlangu (Sol Plaatje University)

Members:

Marketing Officer: Tiyani Mabunda (Walter Sisulu University)

Additional Member: Zanele Mathe (University of Zululand) 

CHELSA Project Manager: Anke McCallum 

Executive Committee portfolio holders serve a two-year term of office. At least one-half of the portfolio holders on the Executive Committee shall retire biennially at the Annual General Meeting. However, all retired portfolio holders are eligible for re-election.

The Executive Committee may co-opt additional non-voting members as it may consider appropriate.