If It Stops Growing…
It Starts Dying
Join me on a journey through my life and academic career.
This website weaves together my personal story, academic achievements, research passions, and professional experiences, offering a glimpse into the life and work of Shekgola Mahlatse.
About Mahlatse Shekgola
Dr Mahlatse Shekgola is a lecturer in the Department of Information Science at the University of South Africa (UNISA). He also serves in National Executive Committee of the South African Society of Archivists (SASA) as Coordinator for EliteEdge Mentorship Programme. He is also assisting the association with marketing its events and programmes such as annual conferences, Archives and Records Management Bootcamps through SASA newsletter, website and social media platforms. Dr Shekgola is also a review article form local and international journals. He has published several research, articles in different national and international publications and presented conference papers.
My Work
Research & Academia
Dr Shekgola has been in the academic industry over five (5) years so far. He holds Doctor of Information Science (2024), Master of Information Science (2021), Bachelor of Arts Honours in Archival Science (2018), Postgraduate certificate in archival science (2016), and National Diploma in public Management (2015) from University of South Africa. His research interest includes archives and records management, especially on software’s for digital curation of archives, preservation of heritage, Interoperability of systems, artificial intelligence, teaching and learning platforms and tools, Security of archives and records management systems, internet of things, Blockchain technology and enterprise content management.
Dr Mahlatse Shekgola was born and raised in Mamelodi township. Mahlatse attended pre-school in Mamelodi but moved to Ga-Matlala, Makagbeng to be exact, when he was 7 years to begin school. He then began his primary school in Seshane primary school (Grade 1 -6), before completing his grade 7 back in Mamelodi at the school named Boikgantsho primary school in 2003. Like any child, the initial move from Gauteng province to Limpopo province were relatively not easy, due to various factors. Firstly, the language and secondly, having to settle to new life in what is commonly referred to as rural areas. As such, adaptation was somehow deficult as the new environment meant new change altogether. For instance, he had to endured walking long distance to school (approximately 10 KM) from home. That alone, required a huge out of him, physically and emotionally.
As it was often a norm in the villages, he also had to fetch water, herd goats and cows, ploughs field, amidst schoolworks and long distance to and from school. He also took part in various activities, such as football (at school and home), athletics, school choir, drama and many others. As the years pregressed, he became a class representative in almost all the classes studied in Seshane primary. Towards his final years at Seshane, he was playing for both A and B sides in terms of football. Due to passing of his grandparents, Mahlatse’s mother had to move him back to Mamelodi to finalise his primary education and start high school there.
He attended high school in Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College (SOMAFCO) from 2004 and matriculated in 2008 at the same school with a bachelor pass grade. The National Senior Certificate (NSC) allowed him to apply for a bachelor’s degree at a university of his choice. Mahlatse took a gap year in 2009 due to financial difficulties before enrolling into University of South Africa. He later, managed to secure financial support and managed to pursue his studies with National Diploma in Public Management qualification, which was the only available course at that particular period. His first preference, Bachelor of Laws (LLB) was fully enrolled at the time of the bursary approval. He managed to complete the qualification in 2014.
Dr Shekgola has been in the academic industry over five years so far. He holds Doctor of Information Science (2024), Master of Information Science (2021), Bachelor of Arts Honours in Archival Science (2018), Postgraduate certificate in archival science (2016), and National Diploma in public Management (2015) from University of South Africa. His research interest includes archives and records management, especially on software’s for digital curation of archives, preservation of heritage, Interoperability of systems, artificial intelligence, teaching and learning platforms and tools, Security of archives and records management systems, internet of things, Blockchain technology and enterprise content management.
His professional industry background includes working as an information and records management consultant under Lwazi Information Consultancy, where he assisted organisation such as Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) (January to June 2017) SA MINT (July – December 2017), Air Traffic and Navigation Services (January – March 2018). Before then, he served on internship programme for records management at National Department of Home Affairs (head office) in 2016
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science (completed 2024). Thesis Title: Digital curation of archives through open-source software in South Africa. University of South Africa (UNISA)
- Master of Information Science (Completed in 2021). University of South Africa (UNISA
- Honours Bachelor of Arts in Archival (Complete 2018). University of South Africa (UNISA)
- Post-graduate certificate in Archival Studies (Completed 2016). University of South Africa (UNISA)
- National Diploma in Public Management (Completed 2015). University of South Africa (UNISA)
- National Senior Certificate (Completed 2008). Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College
Work Experience
Lecturer
University of South Africa (Department of Information Science)
Duties:
- Teaching and learning
- Research
- Engaged Scholarship
- Academic Citizenship
1 June 2020 – To Date
Records Management Consultant
Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA)
January- to June 2017
Archives and Records Internship Programme
Department of Home Affairs (Head Office)
Directorate: Immigration Services.
Duties:
- Permit track and trace
- Visa Verification System
- Records Classification System
- Weekly ministerial reports
Jan 2016- Dec 2016
Research Assistant
University of South Africa (Department of Information Science)
Duties:
- Administer all departmental research projects
- Administer all M&D activities
- Organize M&D meetings, conferences, and seminars
- Log student activities on M&D system
- Developing M&D external supervision contracts
- Develop M&D examiner contracts
- Facilitate M&D payments for examiners and external supervisors
- Request NEC progress report
1 April 2018 – 30 March 2020
Records Management Consultant
SA Mint
July – December 2017
Records Management Consultant
Lwazi Information Management Consultancy
Duties:
- Records management training workshops
- File plan implementation
- Scanning, filing, quality assurance, data capturing on Metro-file online, and digitisation
January 2017 – March 2018
Records Management Consultant
Air Traffic and Navigation Services
January – March 2018
Your thoughts and inquiries are always welcome. I believe that open communication is key, and I’m eager to hear from you. Please, don’t hesitate to make contact.
Professional Associations
- South African Society of Archivists (2024 – to date) : Coordinator for EliteEdge Mentorship Programme – National Executive Committee Member
- International Council on Archives (ICA) (2022- to date) – Association Member
- Archival Educational and Research Institute (AERI) (2022- to date) – Member
Academic and Research Interests
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Recognitions
- Awarded CoD Teaching and Learning Excellent Award 2023
- Awarded International Council on Archives (ICA) certificate for Digital Recordkeeping course 2022.
- 2022 Unisa Young Academics Programme graduate
- Awarded Certificate for Crucial Conversation for Mastering Dialogue in 2022.
- Awarded Presentation Skills Certificate in 2022
Publications
- Shekgola, MM,. Dhlamini, SL,. and Maluleka, JS. 1913. Ingesting digital archives into long-term storage system through free open-source software in South Africa. oSJADHohAASD. ahuUOEARl. RSA.
Journal Articles
Shekgola, MM,. Ngoepe, M,. and Maluleka, J. 2021. My story, your story, our story: storytelling, learning and cultural heritage. NLSA. Bulletin 75 (1). 15-28.
Conference Paper Presentations & Keynote Address
Host: University of Zululand 20th Information Studies Conference, Kwa-Zulu Natal province. Title: “Adoption of free and open-source software for the management of electronic records by municipalities in Gauteng province in South Africa”. September 2019
Host: 16th Archival Education Research Institute, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. Title: Ingesting digital archives into long-term storage system through free open-source software in South Africa October 2024
Host: Inter – Provincial Records & ICT Forum, Kathu, Northen Cape. Guest Speaker. Title: Digital curation of archives through FOSS in municipalities. September 2024
Host: Inter – Provincial Records & ICT Forum, Upington, Northen Cape. Guest Speaker. Title: Digital curation of archives through implementation of FOSS: Lessons from 2015 – 2024. March 2024
Host: International Council on Archives 2023 Congress, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
Title: Archives and records management professional mentorships initiatives in ESARBICA region: Using International Council on Archives new professional mentorship programme as a framework. October 2023
Host: South African Society of Archivist, Mbombela, Mpumalanga Province. Title: Viewing ARM Mentorship through the prism of ICA New Professional Mentorship-Programme. July 2023
Host: Archival Education & Research Institute (AERI), Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Title: Digital Curation of archives through open-source software in South Africa. June 2023
Host: International Council on Archives 9th Annual Conference. Autorium Antonianum, Viale Manzoni, Rome, Italy. Poster presentation title: Framework to utilise artificial intelligence for the management of records at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa. September 2022
Host: University of Zululand 22nd annual Information Studies Conference, Kwa-Zulu Natal province. Title: Do all new brooms sweep clean? Change management considerations towards the implementation of a new learning management system in an CODeL institution in South Africa. September 2022
Host: South African Society of Archivist, Bloemfontein, Free State Province. Title: “Implementation of free and open-source software for management and preservation of digital records in South Africa”. July 2022
Memories
University of South Africa
ICA Conference Presentation
Sorbonne University, Abu Dhabi
Gallery
