GAELIC is the largest academic libraries consortium in South Africa. Mr Moropa will serve as chairperson until 2009.

Mr Moropa’s professional career spans over more than two decades. In 1990, he was appointed to the position of Librarian at the University of Transkei (currently called Walter Sisulu University). He has subsequently held senior positions at the libraries of the following institutions: University of South Africa (Unisa) and University of Pretoria.

He is regarded as one of the leaders of the Library and Information Science (LIS) profession in South Africa. He was one of the key role-players in the unification process of the pre-1994 fragmented library profession. This process led to the launch of LIASA (Library and Information Association of South Africa) in 1997. He served as President of LIASA from 2002 to 2004 and Chairperson of the Northern Gauteng Branch of Liasa from 2004 to 2006.

Mr Moropa also plays an important role on other professional levels, amongst others as a member of the Sabinet Board of Directors (up to 2007); a member of the Board of Directors of Campus Crusade for Christ (South Africa); Chairperson of the Joint Bargaining Forum of the National Library of South Africa.

In 2006, Mr Moropa received the Alumnus of the year award for 2005 from Unisa (in the Department of Library and Information Science). He was the first recipient of this award.

He has served as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – ATLA (Access to Learning Award) 2006 & 2008.

The University of Pretoria believes that the appointment of Mr Moropa to the leadership of GAELIC recognises the leading role that he has played in developing library services in the region.

“Mr Moropa’s election to this position is recognition of his commitment to establishing modern libraries that will contribute to the development of knowledge generating institutions,” said Professor Robin Crewe, Vice Principal of the University of Pretoria. The library services department reports to Prof Crewe.

The Foundation of Tertiary Institutions of the Northern Metropolis (FOTIM) has congratulated and wished Mr Moropa well in his appointment to the GAELIC leadership. The University of Pretoria is a member of FOTIM.