Archives at the Crossroads 2007 - Nelson Mandela Foundation

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has stalled. There is a lack of clarity around the status of Labour Departmentconcerns in relation to archives and in relation to the operation of SETAs. TheMAPPP-SETA for the heritage sector is effectively dysfunctional. Again, theseissues which involve other departments must be addressed by the Departmentof Arts and Culture, with the support of the Platform.The Digital FutureThere are clear indications that digitization can solve many problems related tolack of resources and to access, and indeed to isolation. However, digitizationalso throws up new resource and practice challenges of its own. Large foreigndigitization projects currently dominate the scene, raising fears about the recolonisationof local knowledge. It is essential that the Department take the leadin initiating sector-wide discussions that lead to policies and protocols designedto protect our archive, in all its many manifestations, from foreign appropriationwhile maximizing use of the available resources, avoiding duplication and ensuringongoing and enhanced accessibility. Issues of intellectual property require sustainedattention under Departmental auspices.Digitization also offers the means for the Department to negotiate for the returnof original documents (currently not prioritised by the Ifa Lethu initiative) thatcontinue to remain in the safe custodies to which they were consigned underapartheid. (The Karis and Carter collection is a typical example.) Digital copieswould allow those custodians to retain working copies of the documents inwhich they have invested preservatory care. However, such negotiations willdepend on the prior improvement of local archival facilities. Repatriation ofdocuments from South Africa to their places of provenance is also entailed here.National Archives Advisory CouncilIt is vital that the incoming Archives Council be afforded the fullest opportunityto grapple with all the points raised in this report and be fully supported incoming to grips with what is at stake nationally concerning archives. It is alsocrucial that the Council is enabled to fulfill its obligations ensuring that a full,valid and accessible record of government is available for public consultation.The Department should play a facilitative role here while the Platform shouldwork actively to ensure that the Council is held accountable.12 |“National System, Public Interest” Open Report
ConclusionWhile the current situation is dire indeed, there exists in the acknowledgementof the problem an opening for the Department, Council and the Platform tocollaborate in grasping the archival nettle. The Minister is uniquely well-placedat this time to work in partnership with the Platform (a community of diverseinstitutions positioned across society) to break down inhibiting sectoral barriersand to position the archive at the heart of the national project of social cohesion.This would entail a two-pronged strategy of using the opportunity created bythe failing system to attend to the nuts and bolts of the records system, whileat the same time casting off an out-of-date notion of archive and inauguratinga fully post-colonial one, informed by our unique and complex archivalengagements in situations of repression, liberation, negotiation, reconciliationand development. In so doing we have the opportunity to render service to ourdemocracy, and to contribute our ideas of archive to the cause of social justicethe world over.National Archives and Records ServiceNelson Mandela FoundationUniversity of the WitwatersrandJune 2007Archives at the Crossroads | 13
Page 1: Archives at theCrossroads 2007Open
Page 5 and 6: ContentsSummary ...................
Page 7 and 8: SummaryThe triggers that led to the
Page 9 and 10: “The archive” is a conceptual t
Page 11 and 12: Electronic records management in bo
Page 13 and 14: Yasmin Sooka, Foundation for Human
Page 15 and 16: archives are vital in anchoring cit
Page 17: Lack of resources: The Conference d
Page 21 and 22: Justice Albie Sachs| 15
Page 23: | 17
Page 26 and 27: Tuesday, 24 April 200709h00 - 09h30
Page 28 and 29: Institution Last Name First Name Co
Page 34 and 35: Appendix 4: Regional Archival Platf
Page 36 and 37: The interaction is aimed at improvi
Page 38: AcknowledgementsConference Organisi

Archives at the Crossroads 2007 - Nelson Mandela Foundation

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