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Background: In Botswana, the public sector has been fully active in utilising social media platforms as part of the e-government programme, thereby generating liquid communication in the process. The content in social media platforms, which is referred to as liquid communication, is so fluid that its management becomes a challenge. This is so because one moment a post is available on a social media platform and the next moment it disappears. The unstable nature of liquid communication calls for its governance according to established national and international records management principles. Objectives: This study utilised the principles of information governance of the Association of Records Managers and Administrators (ARMA) as a theoretical framework to examine how liquid communication generated through social media platforms is governed by the Botswana government. Method: Qualitative data were collected through document analysis and interviews with officials from government departments concerned with the management of information. Results: The study revealed that despite the active presence on social media by the Government of Botswana in communicating with the public, there is a lack of a framework to govern liquid communication. This resulted in weak accountability, protection, compliance, transparency and integrity, as well as retention and disposition for governance of liquid communication. Conclusion: The study concludes by arguing that failure to manage and preserve liquid communication would result in a loss of digital heritage for the country. A framework for liquid communication governance in the Botswana public sector is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cloud-based services are increasingly used by organisations around the world and Africa is no exception. Literature has revealed that organisations adopt them as they offer efficient and cost-effective services. Notably, Africa is generally at an infant stage in the adoption of cloud-computing services in records management. Objectives: This article presents and deliberates on the implications of cloud-computing services in archives and records management in Africa and determines whether such services are challenged by the inherent weaknesses faced by Africa in the digital age. Method: This study adopted a qualitative research approach. It utilised content analysis of the reviewed literature related to cloud computing in records management. Results: Cloud computing offers good tools for organisations to conduct businesses efficiently and improve their records management practices. However, issues related to records storage, jurisdiction, privacy, security and the digital divide, to mention a few, are a challenge that need to be surmounted if Africa is to benefit fully from cloud-based records management services. Conclusion: Although cloud-computing services in records management promise huge benefits for Africa, the continent is not ready to fully embrace such technologies and benefit from them. Actually, cloud-based records management services are an Achilles heel for Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]