The possible benefits of freedom of information laws to the records management landscape in the ESARBICA region

Khumalo, Njabulo Bruce; Baloyi, Charity

doi:10.1177/0266666917735879

Cited by 20 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 45 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The review of the literature shows that most of the countries experience a challenge of weak legislation to promote accountability and transparency (Okello-Obura, 2011). This statement is supported by Khumalo and Baloyi (2017) who found that most of the national archive institutions are not yet updated and are inadequate to address concerns relating to digital records.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 98%

Analysis of archives infrastructure in South Africa

Netshakhuma

2019

GKMC

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the extent to which the Mpumalanga Provincial Archives (MPA) complies with the Mpumalanga Archives Act, 2008 legislative/policy provisions of archives building, capacity building and electronic records management and to suggest recommendations for effective archives and records management (ARM) programme in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts a quantitative approach supplemented by qualitative data using document review to collect data and content analysis. Findings The results show that MPA enacted Mpumalanga Archives Act, 2008. However, the challenge is the implementation of such legislation. The findings of this paper would contribute towards the literature in archival legislation in South Africa and other parts of the world. Research limitations/implications Even though the paper was based in South Africa, it was limited to the MPA of South Africa. Practical implications The findings are expected to be instrumental in the implementation of Mpumalanga Archives Act, 2008. Social implications The findings and recommendations will help in guiding MPA on the implementation of an effective provincial archive and records to facilitate the effective management of records to determine those of archival value, to preserve them for posterity and to make them accessible to the public. Originality/value This is an original study using a document review to review the Mpumalanga Archives Act, 1998. The effective archives infrastructure will contribute to compliance with legislative components such as archives building, cooperation, ERMS, appraisal and disposal of records, archives advisory body and access to information.

show abstract

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 98%

Analysis of archives infrastructure in South Africa

Netshakhuma

2019

GKMC

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Namibia is in the process of enacting a freedom of information law, with its Draft Access to Information Bill of April 2017. Authors such as Khumalo and Baloyi (2017) and Mnjama (2003) agree that without adequate records and information management systems which require trained and skilled personnel, a freedom of information law is not effective. “Access to information hinges on the presence of adequate records and information management systems, which guarantee the management of records throughout their life cycle” (Khumalo and Baloyi, 2017, p. 3).…”

Section: Records Management Challenges In Namibiamentioning

confidence: 99%

An investigation into the records management profession in the public service of Namibia

Ipinge¹,

Nengomasha

2018

ILS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the recognition of record management profession in the Namibian Public Service. The objectives of the study are to determine appreciation of the importance of records record management; establish policies that support records management; find out the promotion of the records management function in the public service; establish training and job opportunities available for the record management professionals; and come up with recommendations on how the recognition of the record management profession could be enhanced in the public service of Namibia. Design/methodology/approach This case study used qualitative data collection methods, namely, focus group discussions and interviews. The two ministries and records keeping staff who took part in the focus group discussions were conveniently selected, whereas the two government offices where one key informant each was interviewed were purposively selected. Findings This study revealed that the records management profession was not well recognised in the public service of Namibia. The hiring of staff with low educational qualifications and the hiring of records keeping staff with some Diploma qualifications into the same positions as those without qualifications were all evidence of this. In addition to these was the failure to re-grade the records keeping staff through the establishment of a records management cadre. Practical implications The study recommends the creation of record management units in all offices, ministries and agencies headed by qualified record managers supported by qualified records management staff, finalisation and implementation of the records management policy, as well as the creation of a records management cadre. Originality/value The findings of the study on which this paper is based could inform policy for decision makers, and for the records management keeping staff, a strategy for advocating for recognition of their profession was planned.

show abstract

“…The public sector in South Africa is characterised by ineffective record-keeping, which ultimately has a detrimental impact on the protection of various fundamental human rights such as the right of access to information. Several scholars such as Mojapelo (2017), Mojapelo and Ngoepe (2017), Khumalo and Baloyi (2019) emphasised the close connection between public sector record-keeping and the right of access to information. For example, Mojapelo and Ngoepe (2017) point out that effective systems of record-keeping are important for the right of access to information to be realised.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, Mojapelo and Ngoepe (2017) point out that effective systems of record-keeping are important for the right of access to information to be realised. Furthermore, in a study conducted by Khumalo and Baloyi (2019) to examine how records and archives in Eastern and Southern African Branch of the International Council on Archives (ESARBICA) would benefit from the implementation of freedom of information legislation, it was found that freedom of information could benefit records and archives in the region by encouraging the development of proper record-keeping systems, formalisation and standardisation of records management practice and continuous training of records practitioners.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While the assertion by Mojapelo and Ngoepe (2017) is noted, namely that the successful implementation of PAIA is solely dependent on the status of records management in the public sector, there is a need for the organisations responsible for the monitoring of access to information (IR) to collaborate with the organisations responsible for archives and records management (NARSSA) in order to confront challenges of records management in the public sector in South Africa. Khumalo and Baloyi (2019) postulate that FOI and records management cannot be separated. It is evident that NARSSA is not coping with the regulatory role of the records management in the public sector.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Strengthening public sector records management through the Information Regulator in South Africa

Mojapelo

2020

J. South Afr. Soc. Archiv.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Information Regulator in South Africa is charged with the responsibility to regulate access to information. The implementation of the access to information legislation is heavily dependent on proper records management in the public sector; however, there is consensus among researchers that records are poorly managed in the public sector. The purpose of the study is to describe how records management in the public sector in South Africa can be strengthened through the Information Regulator. This qualitative study utilised document analysis and literature review for data collection. The study was limited to one mandate of the Information Regulator, which is the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). The PAIA was analysed to contextualise the correlation between the Act and records management in the public sector. The study found that the successful implementation of specific sections of the PAIA is dependent on proper records management. While it is acknowledged that the Information Regulator is making inroads into records management space, the study recommends that extra effort needs to be made to strengthen collaboration with the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa, which is charged with a statutory regulatory role for records management in public bodies. A framework was developed to outline the role that the Information Regulator can play to strengthen records management service in the public sector.

show abstract

The possible benefits of freedom of information laws to the records management landscape in the ESARBICA region

Cited by 20 publications

References 45 publications

Analysis of archives infrastructure in South Africa

Analysis of archives infrastructure in South Africa

An investigation into the records management profession in the public service of Namibia

Strengthening public sector records management through the Information Regulator in South Africa

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About