09 Jun 2024

The archival sector is not only adapting to digitisation, but also addressing the challenge brought about by artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain and other advanced technologies.

Speaking at the commemoration of International Archives Day in Gaborone on Friday, Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Mr Tumiso Rakgare said the topic required an interdisciplinary approach.

Mr Rakgare said it was gratifying that his ministry, through the Botswana National Archives and Records Services, was currently implementing an electronic records management system, which ultimately would fast track and create an enabling environment for cyber archives.

The Minister said the MYSC was working hard to assist with the ultimate roll out of the same to the entire public service.

He also expressed hope that professionals and organisations from various fields would join the virtual conversation as records and archives were not just important to government machinery, but their importance spanned across all facets of the society.

Minister Rakgare said information was crucial in all spheres of life, be it business, education, agriculture, economics and even recreation, thus being able to access it timely could do wonders to Batswana and the world.

He said he could not discuss cyber archives without acknowledging the cyber space which was a computer network and a medium electronically designed to help communication occur, adding that it challenged not only the Botswana National Archives and Records, but the whole country to reflect and introspect on the cyber landscape of Botswana.

 “We should ask ourselves whether or not our infrastructure is strong enough to support our cyber activities. Do we have relevant legislative frameworks that would govern the activities of the Cyber Space?” he said.

He said the answer called for collaboration between various stakeholders.

The Minister said the theme #CyberArchives did not only call for innovation in the archives and records management field but also for intensified capacity building to equip archivists and record managers to navigate the cyber space.

He commended the International Council of Archives (ICA) for capacitating its member states, which capacitation showed that the world was changing at a high pace, driven by factors such as the ever evolving digital space, the rise of automation and the shift towards a hybrid workplace.

He said in 2021, ICA Programme Commission (PCOM) developed the Africa Programme with the purpose of supporting the African Archival Professional Programme aimed at supporting the development of record-keeping capacity in Africa.

Botswana, he said, had benefitted from the programme several times and that in August 2019 Botswana hosted the Digital Records Curation Programme.

He said record managers had also participated in a series of virtual seminars under the Africa programme, adding that Botswana was considering to express interest in the ICA conference to be held in 2027 and expecting a turn over of 5 000 delegates.

For his part, Mr Itseng Kwelagobe of the UNESCO Secretariat said archives had a profound impact on the society, culture and collective memory. 

Mr Kwelagobe said archives were guardians of history, heritage and identity of the nation. He further said it was important to reflect on the milestones achieved in the archives and records management profession. He said archivists and records managers must adapt to the changes while upholding the principles of accountability, authenticity and accessibility. ENDS