Today, LIASA and the entire LIS community is in mourning at the passing of Prof Rocky Ralebipi-Simela. Affectionately known as Rocky, she was a force that was larger than life. A passionate librarian, she was always first and foremost a consummate professional with regards to her profession. So many of us fondly remember her various presentations on the SDGs, and to some effect came to be synonymous with this matter. 

She was an advocate for young librarians and would use every opportunity to rally young people to be passionate librarians and support the library association. While we remember Rocky as a former National Librarian, she was so much more than that. She had extensive qualifications, including a MLS from the University of Pittsburgh and a PhD from the University of Minnesota and was also a Fulbright scholar. She was indeed a leader in her profession having fulfilled many roles in this regard, not only in South Africa but also internationally. 

In terms of serving her profession, she was a champion of causes and projects in LIASA, IFLA, AfLIA and many other associations where the voice of an advocate was needed. In her most recent LIASA role, she served as the Editor-in-Chief of SAJLIS.

While she was an accomplished professional, many of us also remember her fondly as a wonderful, warm person whose laughter and presence made us all feel that we were part of her circle and that she cared about all of us. 

May Her Dear Soul Rest In Peace and on behalf of LIASA and the LIS profession, we send our deepest condolences to her family.

LIASA EXCO 2021 - 2023

It is with deep sorrow that I receive this notice of Rocky’s passing.  It is a sad day for librarians indeed.  May she rest in peace.  Sincere condolences to her family, friends and library family.

God bless

Denise Nicholson

We are saddened by the sad news of the passing on of Prof. Rocky Ralebipi- Simela, a former National Librarian and CEO, NLSA, which occurred yesterday the 16th January 2021. She was an active IFLA CDNL and IFLA member .  Africa LIS field has lost a Great Mentor and leader. To the family, a Rock has fallen.

Our condolences to the family, LIASA  South Africa, and IFLA community

MHSRIP

My deepest sympathy to Prof Ralebipi-Simela’s family and the entire LIS community.  I am stunned, as much as I am saddened. 

I worked with Prof at the University of Limpopo and she lived around the corner from me in Flora Park, Polokwane in the late 1990s.

I echo the President’s words about her warm welcoming personality! Whenever I met her in years to come, she remained Rocky, humble, approachable and always making an effort to chat to one.

May her soul rest in peace!

Regards

The Rock has fallen, she taught me at University of Limpopo. Humble as she is, dedicated always willing to serve the community, Prof We will dearly miss you, may your soul rest in perfect peace.

Enock Kgole

Very sad news. Rest in peace Rocky.

Condolences to the family may her soul rest in peace.

I am shocked to learn of Prof Ralebipi's passing. My former lift club member and colleague at UL. She was a very positive and vivacious person. An academic to the core. Well rounded. Well travelled. A happy and free soul. Rest in peace, my sister. You have touched my life in several ways.

Very Sad indeed. This is a loss for the LIS community. Rest in eternal peace Prof Ralebipi-Simela.

Bernice Nagel

Condolence message from Botswana Library Association In respect of Prof Rocky Ralemipi Simela

On my behalf and that of the Botswana Library Association, I extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Prof Rocky Ralemipi-Simela.Prof Rocky’s sudden passing is a great loss not only to South Africa but to the whole Region and the global library and Information sector. We  in Botswana will always remember and cherish her for the great support she offered to our Association whenever we solicited assistance, with great sense of sacrifice and humility.

We pray that God gives Prof Rocky’s family the fortitude to bear their loss. We surely shall  miss her for her dedication,  humility, sense of purpose and her desire to always provide support where needed.

Thank you.

This is a sad loss to the Library and Information community. We shall really miss her for all her contribution to this community. Condolensces to the family. May her soul rest in eternal peace.