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The deployment of digital systems in the delivery of public services by the Government of Botswana has seen an increase in the generation of digital records. Without preservation efforts over time, the continued availability of digital records is not guaranteed. The reverse side of this is that a focused records preservation regime ensures access to and accurate digital records in the long term, regardless of the challenges of media failure and technological change. Lack of an adequate legal and policy framework on digital material preservation; gaps in human resources in terms of knowledge, skills, and competencies to drive digital material preservation; lack of appropriate standards for digital records preservation; and limited collaborative efforts towards digital records preservation are some of the challenges in digital records preservation in Botswana. Despite these challenges related to digital records preservation, developing countries in Africa are increasingly embracing the use of cloud computing technology for the management and preservation of digital records due to its benefits. In the developed world, cloud computing has matured into a viable option for the management and preservation of digital records. This study utilised a review of literature, supplemented by document analysis, to propose a framework for digital preservation of records in the cloud in the context of e-government in the Botswana public sector. It is guided by concepts from the Policy, Strategy and Resources troika model as a lens to frame the study. The model provides the key elements of policy, strategy, and resources as necessary for the preservation of records in Botswana's public sector, using cloud computing as a platform. The proposed framework for the preservation of digital records may benefit public sector organisations that endeavour to adopt cloud computing for records preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National archival agencies are mandated to manage public sector archives and records. They provide guidance by issuing, among others, guidelines, policies, and procedures. With advances in technology, and in the spirit of e-government, it is expected that national archival agencies should have websites through which key documents that provide guidance on the management of archives and records are made accessible online. The purpose of this study was to compare the websites of Botswana National Archives and Records Services (BNARS) and the National Archives and Records Services of South Africa (NARSSA) with specific reference to key documents providing guidance on the proper management of public archives and records. This study is qualitative and obtained data from a content analysis of the websites of the two organisations. These were supplemented by interviews from selected key officers responsible for public archives and records management programmes. It is notable that BNARS has a website that can be accessed through Botswana's Department of Information Technology. On the website, the only downloadable guidance document is an archives search room inquiry form. Comparatively, NARSSA has a more comprehensive website with downloadable guidance documents such as file plans, templates records management policies, records retention and disposable schedules, and functional specifications for electronic records management systems, to mention just a few. It is recommended that BNARS should have a comprehensive website with guidance documents posted on it to provide guidance for proper public archives and records management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Court records are a vital source of information for the judicial system. They are mainly used by legal researchers, legal practitioners and policymakers for decision-making. The invention of modern technology systems has seen courts around the world adopting electronic systems to manage these records. Consequently, records management has gained prominence since a systematic, efficient and organised records management system is crucial in guaranteeing unbiased decisions through trusted records by the courts. The computerisation of court records has its own challenges that may be peculiar to the justice system in any country. The creation, management and preservation of digital records have an impact on policies, standards, copyright, metadata and other technical issues. Although the use of technologies reduces delays, improves economy, efficiency and effectiveness and promotes confidence in the justice system, due process, impartiality and independence should also be carefully taken into account given the nature and importance of the judiciary. This is especially so when structural and procedural changes, such as the ones driven by the introduction of new technologies, take place. Through a review of literature, this paper seeks to examine the implementation of electronic court records management systems in selected African countries with a view to ascertaining whether the intended objectives for their deployment have been achieved. Generally, this study found that justice systems in the selected countries implemented computerised court records systems and derived some benefits as anticipated. However, the implemented systems were confronted with some challenges that can be resolved in due course to ultimately facilitate the systems to enhance delivery of justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]