Posted on August 29, 2009
It's clear that the archive and heritage sector is in crisis. In 2007, for example, an open report on the crisis in archives was submitted to the previous minister, but no response has been forthcoming. It has been reported this year that archives in Pietermaritzburg, for example are in a parlous state, and many important collections and heritage sites are teetering on the brink of collapse. Good records management is critical to the maintenance of state accountability, as SCOPA recently noted. Therefore many departments have prioritised better records management, and heritage tourism is promised as a focus for 2010, but we need the capacity to deliver on these promises.
In addressing problems and grasping new opportunities, what needs to be done, and by whom?
We believe in the desire of the newly elected government to listen to the people and improve service delivery. Write your "Letter for Lulu", the Honourable Minister Lulu Xingwana, and tell her what you think. Email all scanned letters to {encode="director@archivalplatform.org" title="director@archivalplatform.org"} and contact us to post us the originals. At the end of heritage month we will deliver them all to the Minister.
Photo attribution: Typewriter
Photo attribution: Minister