Getting to know your colleagues

Posted on January 19, 2017

Susan Scheepers

  1. Where did you work previously and for how long? I started my career at Merensky 2 Library in January 1976. I also made my debut at HSRC Library and UNISA Library. In 1982 I became a stay-at-home-mom. I then took a complete turn into the diving industry from late 1993 and it was great to have a hobby as a job. I then started my career back in the Merensky 2 Library exactly 20 years later, January 1996.
  1. What would you be doing if you weren't at your current job? I love my work and the academic environment! I would love to travel the world and learn more about other cultures.
  1. How do you recharge? With a little bit of me-time. It is important for me to recharge, but not too much on my own, I love to be surrounded by people.
  1. When are you the happiest? When I am between family and friends - "lekker"!
  1. What would you most regret not having done by the end of your life? The things I did not have time to do! I believe to rather be sorry about the things I did than the things I did not do – my motto in life is: take every challenge that comes your way!

Maggie Maropane

  1. Where are you from (where were you born) and what is home to you? I was born in Pretoria in Lady Selborne, grew up in Atteridgeville, started working in Soshanguve and now in Groenkloof. Pretoria is really my home.
  1. Where did you work previously and for how long? Before accepting a full-time position as librarian, I served for 20 yrs (1987-2007) as a school teacher in Soshanguve at Wallmansthal High and Makhosini Senior Secondary schools respectively.
  1. What one memory do you most treasure? My most memorable treasure and experience is having had the opportunity to travel the USA in 2012, meeting and learning with different international librarians and libraries - thanks to LIASA and The Carnegie Grant!
  1. What's the most important lesson you've learned in the last year? Lesson: That procrastination not only steals one's time BUT also cheats you of your success. My key strategies are determination and goal focussed/oriented.
  1. How do you act when you're stressed out? When I am really stressed out, I become withdrawn and feel like hibernating for some time (my true nature), but real life does not allow that, so I try to be as cheerful and interactive as I can be.

Marguerite Nel

  1. Where did you work previously and for how long? My previous work was also my previous career. I had a boutique and we made wedding dresses and evening wear. After 5 years, I closed the business, and wanted to become a “stay-at-home”-mother (my daughter was 3 and a half years and my son was just born at that stage). But being at home all day wasn’t stimulating enough, and I was fortunate to get a part time job as journal receiver at the Veterinary Science Library. This was the beginning of an exciting (new) career!
  1. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are living right now? I would change nothing at all!
  1. How do you recharge? Sitting on my “stoep” with a nice glass of merlot, listening to beautiful music…
  1.  When are you the happiest? My happy-place is at home (on my “stoep”) with my family – and when the people around me are also feeling happy, I’m even happier!
  1. What characteristic do you most admire in others? Enthusiasm, a positive attitude and optimism (even when things are not going according to your plans)

Robert Moropa

  1. Where are you from (where were you born) and what is home to you?  I was born in Ladyselbourne, Pretoria. To read more about Ladyselbourne visit: http://treasurehunters.co.za/forums/gauteng/lady-selborne-pretoria/!
  1. Where did you work previously and for how long? I worked at the University of Fort Hare for 18 months, the University of Transkei (currently called the Walter Sisulu University) for 13 years and then UNISA for 5 years, before coming to the University of Pretoria.
  1. How do you recharge? Reading, spending time with my wife and children and exercising.
  1. What characteristic do you most admire in others? GRIT: Passion and perseverance. I think most people quit too soon!
  1. If you could change one thing about how you were raised as a child, what would it be? Entrepreneurship - I would focus more on training myself as an entrepreneur.

 

- Author Elsabe Olivier

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