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As the responsibility for governments to account and be transparent evolves, access to information is becoming a significant tool in that regard. As such, most countries prioritised access to archives to uphold accountability and transparency, particularly in democratic states. However, for some institutions, access to archives is still a challenge. In this regard, this paper sought to assess the factors that affect access to archives at the Botswana National Archives and Records services (BNARS) with the aim of finding solutions to improve access to archives in Botswana. The study adopted a qualitative approach to review literature on the factors that affect access to archives. The study found that access to archives at BNARS is impacted by copyright issues; weak and lacking appropriate legislative framework; distance barriers; as well as logistical barriers. Ultimately, the paper reflects that several solutions such as the development and review of the legislative framework regarding access to archives, improvement of logistical and operational standards, and implementation of policies are recommended. These interventions should be implemented in line with the International Council on Archives (ICA) principles of access to archives. This would pave way for improved access to archives and archival repositories in Botswana and the ESARBICA region at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National archival institutions are responsible for the acquisition, preservation and making accessible of their nation’s documentary heritage. It is on this basis that the Department of Botswana National Archives and Records Services (BNARS) acquires records through the normal transfer of public records from government agencies as well as donations of private archives. The main purpose of this paper is to analyse the processing of private archives of a prominent “Kgosi” in the history of Botswana, Kgosi Bathoen II of the Bangwaketse ethnic group. This is a qualitative study that used literature review to collect data. It also uses the author’s personal observation, as she was involved in the acquisition and processing of the Bathoen II archives. The key findings suggest that even though Batswana have not been donating their private archives in high numbers, BNARS have made strides in collecting private archives of prominent individuals in the country. Unlike public records, private archives collections may not come in any logical arrangement, which may be a tormenting exercise for the archivist to process and select what is worth preserving. This paper concludes that despite the difficulties encountered in processing a huge collection of private papers with no order, private papers should follow the normal archives’ practice of arrangement and description for eventual access by researchers or users. Additionally, the significance of private archives in filling the gaps found in the national repositories was revealed through Bathoen II collection, as it has information on various aspects of Botswana life, customs, traditions and the people. As such, the collection provides diversity to the nation’s documentary heritage and serves as a rich resource for research. This paper also presents lessons learnt in the preservation of private archives in Botswana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of and need for digital curation has increased significantly in recent years owing to the myriad of risks facing digital assets. These risks include problems of hardware and software obsolescence, media fragility, rapid technological developments and the frequent absence of sufficient metadata. Additionally, digital records face risks of improper handling, corruption and alteration, unauthorized access and accidental erasure. These issues necessitate continuous discussions amongst information professionals, including records managers and archivists, on how best they can be circumvented in the face of changing technologies. Hence, digital curation has gained world-wide acceptance and recognition today as a sound strategy for ensuring the continued accessibility of digital assets. This article discusses the International Council on Archives (ICA) Programme Commission (PCOM) initiative which focuses on capacity building for records and archives management in the African region. In particular, the paper discusses the 2019 Digital Records Curation Programme (DRCP) Study School held in Gaborone, Botswana, which brought together archival educators from various countries across the African continent. The study school provided a forum for the trainers and participants to share knowledge and shape the digital curation agenda for the future, including roll-out of a newly developed digital records curation curriculum for international adoption. This paper recommends the adoption of the DRCP by archival educators in African Universities. It is also recommended that the ICA make provision for continuous professional development training for the trained archival educators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Botswana government uses social media platforms to communicate with its citizens. This interaction results in liquid communication which needs to be managed. Liquid communication is the type of communication that can easily go back and forth and is therefore difficult to control. This study collected qualitative data through interviews to develop a faucet to control the flow of liquid communication with a view to ensuring the trustworthiness of the content. The study established that measures to ensure the integrity of liquid communication generated through the use of social media by the Botswana government were deficient. The study recommends a framework to control and manage liquid communications [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) heralded a dreadful global disaster that had a collateral effect on many businesses. It affected people, information, and global economies. However, its impact on public records and archives management is under-researched in Africa, particularly in The Gambia. Hence, the purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public records and archives management in The Gambia. Adopted for the survey is pragmatic research paradigm, which employs mixed methods using a purposive sample of 65, constituting 31% of a population of 211, comprising heads of Public Records and Archives staff and National Records Advisory Committee members. The ISO 31000:2018 Risk Assessment tool was employed as the theoretical framework. A questionnaire and telephone-based interview were administered to collect data. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively using IBM Statistical Packages for Social Science (IBM SPSS), while qualitative data was analysed based on the study objectives. The research shows that a significant minority confirmed information leakage during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily through social media, phone, and email. Most records and archives are in physical format, as established by 59.1% of respondents. The records sector responded poorly due to inadequate capacity, emergency policies, and interventions. Most respondents claimed a lack a disaster plan, with 67.7% of respondents finding it ineffective in mitigating COVID-19's impact on records and archives, and 82.4% confirming inadequate documentation during the pandemic. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has moderately impacted Public Records and Archives Management in The Gambia, with staff being protected more than information, the effect severely affected archival services. The study recommends robust risk plans, digitalisation, professional capacity building, adequate resources, effective monitoring, and decentralisation, among others. [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]

Archival legislation is the basis for records and archives management in any country. The National Archives Act of Botswana was enacted in 1978 to give the Botswana National Archives and Records Services (BNARS) its mandate to provide a framework for conducting records and archival functions in Botswana. It mandates BNARS to collect, preserve and make accessible the nation's documentary heritage. In recognition of its deficiencies, amendments were made in 2007 to incorporate the management of current records, electronic records and recognition of private archives. A review of this legislation reveals that these amendments fared way below expectations as the Act currently has serious weaknesses that need to be addressed to improve archival practice in the country. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to examine the National Archives and Records Services Act in Botswana and its implications on archival practice in the country. This paper took a qualitative approach utilising documentary review to collect data and content analysis. This is an original study using a documentary review to review the archival legislation in Botswana. The findings of this paper would contribute towards the literature in archival legislation in Botswana and the ESARBICA region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]