Issued by: Ministry of Arts and Culture
10 March 1997
South Africa's new National Archives Act has been in effect since 1 January 1997. The act, both in genesis and content, is cause for celebration, and reflects South Africa's transition to democracy.
The Ace decentralises the archives, making provision for nine provincial archives as well as a central National Archives. The National Archives will support the provinces, helping them develop their own archival legislation and promoting national co-ordination.
The Act also improves accessibility, recognising the citizen's right to information held by the state. Access to records older than 20 years will now be unrestricted. Under the old Act there was a 30-35 year "closed period".
There is a strong focus on redressing the imbalances of the past, both in collecting and presenting information. The Act makes provision for the collecting of non-public records "with due regard to the need to document aspects of the nation's experience neglected by archives repositories in the past". The act also takes a pro-active approach to accessibility, aiming to reach out to the less privileged sectors of society.
To celebrate the implementation of the Act, the National Archives is holding an "Opening the Archives" exhibition, featuring documents which have been made available by the new Act. These are documents from the years 1965/1976 and include information about South Africa's involvement in Angola, forced removals and the 1976 uprisings.
In addition, "The Struggle against Apartheid" exhibition can also be viewed. It showcases the struggled against apartheid through photographs and official documents, as well as more unusual items, like a banner carried by protesters and a blackboard with "Afrikaans go to hell" painted on it.
The "Opening the Archives" exhibition opens on Monday 10 March, and Lionel Mtshali, Minister, and Brigitte Mabandla, Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology will deliver speeches at the function.
For further information call Andile Xaba on (012) 314-6313