2025:Program/Promoting open knowledge and wikipedia editing among City of Johannesburg communities
Session title: Promoting open knowledge and wikipedia editing among City of Johannesburg communities
- Session type: Lightning talk
- Track: Lightning Talk Showcase
- Language: en
Promoting Open Access Knowledge and Wikipedia Editing among City of Johannesburg Communities
Open access knowledge plays a critical role in fostering inclusive and informed societies. This initiative aims to promote open access knowledge and empower Soweto and Randburg communities through Wikipedia editing workshops and digital literacy training. The project seeks to bridge the digital divide by equipping participants with the skills to access, evaluate, and contribute information on Wikipedia. By encouraging community members to create and edit content about their local heritage, culture, and notable figures, the initiative enhances African knowledge representation online. This effort not only supports the decolonisation of knowledge but also fosters active citizen participation in the global knowledge economy. The project aligns with the broader movement of open knowledge advocacy and contributes to building sustainable knowledge-sharing communities in Johannesburg.
Description
Aims The primary aim of this paper is to advocate for the promotion of open access knowledge and to empower Soweto and Randburg communities with digital skills through Wikipedia editing workshops. The initiative seeks to address the digital divide by providing participants with the necessary tools to contribute to the global knowledge base, thereby improving the representation of African content on digital platforms. Additionally, the project aims to foster a culture of lifelong learning and active citizenship within local communities.
Description Open access knowledge plays a critical role in fostering inclusive and informed societies. This initiative aims to promote open access knowledge and empower Soweto and Randburg communities through Wikipedia editing workshops and digital literacy training. The project seeks to bridge the digital divide by equipping participants with the skills to access, evaluate, and contribute information on Wikipedia. By encouraging community members to create and edit content about their local heritage, culture, and notable figures, the initiative enhances African knowledge representation online. This effort not only supports the decolonisation of knowledge but also fosters active citizen participation in the global knowledge economy. The project aligns with the broader movement of open knowledge advocacy and contributes to building sustainable knowledge-sharing communities in Johannesburg.
- How does your session relate to the event theme, Wikimania@20 – Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability?
Libraries for sustainable communities
- What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?
Everyone can participate in this session
Resources
Speakers
- Lindani Sikhakhane
- Lindani Sikhakhane is a dynamic and forward-thinking librarian based at Randburg Library,
- celebrated for his passion for innovation, pioneering ideas, and creative solutions within the realm of city libraries. In recognition of his groundbreaking work, Lindani was awarded the City of Johannesburg Employee Innovation Award (2023) and received further accolades in the “Innovation in Operation” category for leading the development and implementation of an intelligent resource management app within the City’s municipal departments.
- Lindani has built a diverse professional background in the Library and Information Services sector. He previously served as a Trainee Librarian at the National Library of South Africa (NLSA) and as a Research Librarian at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). Originally from
- Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, he holds an Honours degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Zululand and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in the same field.
- Beyond his professional role, Lindani is actively involved in national LIS leadership and advocacy. He serves on the extended Marketing Committee of the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) and is the Acting Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the South African
- Information Services Union (SAISU).