Six years Anniversary: A goodwill message from the AfLIA President

I heartily congratulate the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA) on it’s 6th birthday. AfLIA is a professional organization like no other. With a continental membership that serves diverse constituencies, it has made impressive progress not only in Africa but globally.

AfLIA has challenged many Associations, libraries, Librarians and library workers professionally, intellectually, socially, and personally through its capacity building programmes and advocacy for libraries and information services development. AfLIA has created networks of Librarians all over the continent and is still seriously connecting African information professionals to speak with one voice. This is crucial in this age of interconnectedness where social capital is a given for success.

I pause, look back and realize that in the past 6 years AfLIA has grown tremendously with membership from the five regions of Africa. Nevertheless, there’s still so much to do! The recent MoU with African Union is a great window of opportunity that we all need to work towards utilizing fully.

As we celebrate today, I call on African Librarians to come Walk and Work with AfLIA.
Join us to raise the banner of librarianship high in Africa. Take up membership of this great Body, participate in our programmes and add your voice as we advocate for Libraries in Africa.

Happy 6th birthday AfLIA!

Mandla Ntombela
AfLIA President