Proposed independent organisational structure for memory institutions in Zimbabwe and South Africa
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/CC-05-2021-0017 |
| Published date | 24 August 2021 |
| Date | 24 August 2021 |
| Pages | 101-106 |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Collection building & management |
| Author | Sindiso Bhebhe |
Proposed independent organisational
structure for memory institutions in
Zimbabwe and South Africa
Sindiso Bhebhe
National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
Abstract
Purpose –The idea of convergence of cultural institutions, especially the libraries, archives and museums (LAMS) to op erate as one, has a long
theoretical history which unfortunately has not been translated into practice. This subject has be en discussed by a number of scholars but the
implementation has just remained theoretical with only a few countries practically adopting such an organisational struc ture. In Africa, this concept
of LAMS is yet to gain traction. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is aimed at proposing such LAMS structures for African nations, especially in
Zimbabwe and South Africa considering the emergence of community “archives”which have blurred further the distinction between museology,
archiving and librarianship. The motivation in advocating for the adoption of LAMS is also driven by the theory behind participatory archives which
thrive on the advanced use of internet including social media platforms that can make it possible to have one-stop virtual archive on the cloud that
also incorporates museums and libraries.
Design/methodology/approach –This is a concept paper which reviewed the literature on national and community archives in Zimbabwe and
South Africa which were purposively selected because of their long history in archiving. This was done to come up with a proposed “independent”
national heritage organisational structure. “Independent”structure because this paper was based on the assumption that the independence of
decision-making in national archival structures in Zimbabwe and South Africa is compromised and biased towards the ethos of political parties’
ruling governments.
Findings –Proposed integrated framework for community archives into the sustainable national archival system which also incorporates the role
that can be played by universities. The framework is likely to be feasible and of benefit in the countries that are struggling to have national
mainstream independent archives which are just not paying allegiance to those who are in po wer.
Originality/value –This study is unique in the sense that it mixes LAMS and the concept of independent archival structure in a regional
comparative nature that involves Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Keywords Zimbabwe, South Africa, Community archives, Independent archival organisational structure, Libraries, Archives, Museums (LAMS),
University archives
Paper type Viewpoint
1. Introduction
This paper makes two assumptions, one, that national archival
institutions lack independence in decision-making mainly because
they rely on government funding (Ndhlovu, 2018) and the other,
that, they can operate better by taking advantage of the economies
of scale by adopting libraries, archives and museums (LAMS)
approach. Re-examination of the LAMS model by scholars is
sometimesmotivatedbythefactthatthegovernmentsareseeing
the opportunities to consolidate resources (Bastian 2017). The
wide use of information communication technologies (ICTs)
including Web technologies in the 1990s to currently have led
scholars to return to this elusive LAMS organisational model, as
this paper is also attempting to do. Therefore, this paper proposes
an Integrated Framework for Memory Institutions which
addresses the independence of these centres at the same time
calling for the utilisation of Web technologies and economies of
scales in coming up with LAMS organisational models. This was
mainly done through the review of literature on the politics of
heritage and the management of memory centres including
community archives. Literature on the ind ependence of these
memory institutions was also reviewed. Even though the world
literature was reviewed, the focus was mainly on Zimbabwe and
South Africa. Throughout the paper, the abbreviation LAMS was
used to refer to the broad world of library, archive and museum
collection. The use of this acronym as a plural proper noun is
intended to highlight the commonality of these remarkably
separated worlds of work [...](Hedstrom and King, 2000,p.1).
2. Literature review
The literature review coveredthe concept of LAMS, funding of
national memory centres includingtheir inclusivity in archiving
and curating. Community archiving literature was also
reviewed with the emphasison Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The current issue and full text archiveof this journal is available on Emerald
Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/2514-9326.htm
Collection and Curation
41/3 (2022) 101–106
© Emerald Publishing Limited [ISSN 2514-9326]
[DOI 10.1108/CC-05-2021-0017]
Received 28 May 2021
Revised 27 July 2021
Accepted 3 August 2021
101
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