Issued by: Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology
29 July 1997
THE NATURE, IDENTITY AND ROLE OF PUBLIC ARCHIVES IN SOUTHERN AND EASTERN AFRICA AT THE END OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
THE 14TH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGIONAL BRANCH OF THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON ARCHIVES (ESARBICA)
The National Archives of South Africa Act, 1996 was passed into law in January 1997 and represented the first step in transforming the National Archives into a democratic and inclusive institution responsible for safeguarding public memory.
Transformation of the National Archives is a long term process. the positioning of public archives in government; the role of public archives in shaping public memory; methods of providing access to public archives especially to marginalised communities and the rela- tionship between public archives and private archives repositories will be tackled at the 14th Biennial Conference of ESARBICA which will be hosted by the National Archives under the theme "The Nature, Identity and Role of Public Archives in Southern and Eastern Africa at the End of the Twentieth Century". Discussion on these issues will enhance the transformation of South Africa's National Archives. Likewise, lessons learned from the South African experience could contribute to similar transformation processes elsewhere in the region. The conference is also significant for the archival profession in South Africa as it is the first international gathering to be hosted by the National Archives and the first ESARBICA gathering to take place in South Africa. Over 150 delegates from 17 countries have registered. Among the countries represented are Angola, Canada, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Sweden, Tanzania, the United States, Zanzibar and Zimbabwe. The media are invited to attend the opening session of the conference on 30 July 1997 where Themba Wakashe, Chief Director of Arts and Culture in Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology will open the conference. Followed by Dr Terry Cook of the Canadian National Archives who will deliver the keynote address. The Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, 794 Beatrix Street, Pretoria, from 30 July - 1 August 1997.
For further information please contact Verne Harris or Clive Kirkwood on 012-323-5300.