People
For over a century, UCT Libraries staff have been the custodians of knowledge and "keepers of our memories" at the University of Cape Town. Librarians have been a pillar of support for many scholars on their journey to unlocking the mysteries of human endeavour. Behind the scenes, the engine room of the Libraries included much more staff. They were responsible for the binding, labelling, cataloguing and shelving of books. Most of these functions continue to this day.
University Librarians
Donors & Contributors
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Harry Bolus
A South African botanist and botanical artist. He bequeathed his herbarium and collection of botanical books to the South African College in 1911. -
William Henry Bell
Principal and Professor of Music at the South African College of Music. -
Casper Hendrik van Zyl
Practising attorney and Professor of law. He made his extensive library of legal texts available to the law students he taught. -
Gideon Brand van Zyl
Donor of the Brand van Zyl Law Library. A former Governor-General of South Africa. -
Dr W Hiddingh
His bequest funded the building of Hiddingh Hall. -
John William Jagger
One of the University's earliest benefactors. A former Minister of Railways and member of the University Council. Over 30 years, he had donated generously to the university, most of it going to the library. -
Harry Oppenheimer
Former University Chancellor. Recognising the worth of UCT's Africana collections, Harry Oppenheimer donated funding for the establishment of the university's Centre for African Studies and the African Studies Library. -
JSI McGregor
A retired teacher from Potchefstroom Boys High. Donated his Kipling Collection to the University of Cape Town Library in 1959. -
Professor Bongani Mayosi
Professor Bongani Mawethu Mayosi (BMedSci, MB ChB, FCP(SA), DPhil, OMS) was the embodiment of a visionary medical researcher, a nurturing teacher, an inspiring mentor and a caring doctor. He had an immense impact on the lives of academics, patients and ordinary citizens. His rare combination of academic brilliance, vision, and tenacity combined with charm, an infectious smile, and deep humility, made everyone who came into contact with him feel special and empowered. Bongani Mayosi’s humility and leadership was nurtured in rural Eastern Cape Province where, at only 15 years old, he received the province’s highest marks in matric. At the age of 16 he enrolled at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, where he was the first person to graduate with two concurrent degrees, MB ChB and BMedSci, both with distinction. After he specialised in Cardiology at UCT, he studied at the University of Oxford on a Nuffield Fellowship for a Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine. He returned to South Africa to pursue his career as a clinician scientist and cardiologist at Groote Schuur Hospital and UCT. He was later appointed as Groote Schuur Hospital and UCT’s first Black African Head of Medicine, developing it into one of the continent’s most successful and productive departments of Medicine. His academic leadership was recognised through his appointment as the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, providing the opportunity to live out his dream of nurturing the next generation of health researchers and practitioners.
Notable People
Signifcant people who have attended or contributed to key events during the Libraries history.
