Analysis of South African universities and communities archives

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study to investigate the relationships between South Africa (SA) universities and universities surrounding communities (USC) for preserving community histories and serve the universities’ mandate to support their local communities and support universities’ teaching and scholarship. Design/methodology/approach The study used a multiple case study approach through interviews. The population of the study comprised representatives from selected universities and their USC. Findings The findings revealed a lack of effective relationships between universities and USC to preserve communities’ histories. Hence, the communities’ archives are tools for teaching and scholarship. Relations between universities and USC are to be built on trust. Accountability and transparency are to be considered by both parties. Research limitations/implications The research is limited to selected SA universities, namely, University of Venda, Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Pretoria and SA and USC. The findings are applicable to all SA universities and USC. Practical implications The relationship between universities and USC has a practical impact on the National archives of South Africa (NARSSA) to collect communities archives because it is in conflict with the mandate of NARSSA. The National Archives’ Act 43 of 1996 obliged NARSSA to collect and preserve communities’ archives on behalf of societies. Social implications Lack of universities and USC can lead to the loss of communities histories or archives. Originality/value This paper appears to be the first to research the relationship between SA universities and USC.

Preservation strategies for student affairs records at the University of Venda in South Africa

“…The study conducted by Segaetsho and Mnjama (2012) indicated that the preservation of archival materials in Africa has not received adequate attention. The lack of preservation strategy contributed to ineffective collaboration between records and archives and student affairs divisions to preserve records and prevent loss of records (Wagner & Smith, 2012;Samuels 1992;Mnjama, Mooko &Manewe-Sisa 2016;Segaetsho & Mnjama 2012;Millar 1997;Ambira & Kemoni 2011;Erima & Wamukoya 2012;Netshakhuma 2019a;2019b;2019c;2019d). Few studies have examined student affairs records preservation strategies (Kezar 2003).…”

“…Students interact with communities surrounding universities on community projects and sponsorships. According to Chung (2018) and Netshakhuma (2019c;2019d;2020), institutions should be accountable to society by creating and retaining knowledge via records and archives.…”

“…Furthermore, sometimes these records are generated by the students themselves and the university does not have access to them or even aware of their existence. The student affairs records need to be included in the university's collection because students constitute the largest group of the institution (Michele 2002;Netshakhuma 2019d). This study assessed student affairs records, with consideration to preservation strategy at the University of Venda in South Africa.…”

Analysis of the alliance of archives, libraries, and museums of South Africa National Parks: Kruger National Park

“…The ALM function provides a pivotal space for negotiating meaning about past histories, reconstructions of cultural memory and reinterpretation of culture (Anderson, 2005: 15). The KNP ALM are the product of historical struggle as they are sources of the history of the development of the park (Netshakhuma 2019h). SHRC provided a wealth of information about the development of the park.…”

“…According to Satgoor (2015: 104) and Netshakhuma (2019h) there is wide-scale cognisance that the best way to address and support the transformation of ALM functions into community hubs is for the organisation to invest in staff development and training.…”