YALLF 2022 Spotlight: Martin Hipangwa’s Capstone Project

Martin Hipangwa, a librarian from Namibia and a 2022 fellow of the Young African Library Leaders Fellowship, credits the program as the turning point in his ability to promote digital information literacy as a pillar of community development.

During the fellowship, Martin moved beyond the physical stacks of the library and into the heart of his community, providing hands-on digital literacy training to help community members navigate an increasingly information-dense world. His capstone project was designed to be highly interactive, drawing youth into the library to engage with digital tools under his guidance and mentorship.

Through webinars, collaborative projects, and consistent community engagement, Martin evolved into a recognised leader in his field. He credits the fellowship with enhancing his professional capabilities and reinforcing his belief that library professionals are not just information gatekeepers but proactive educators who can bridge the digital divide.