TRC records will go public: govt
23 October 2003
The documents and records of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will be made public once these have been properly catalogued and preserved by South Africa's National Archives, says Arts, Culture, Science and Technology Minister Ben Ngubane.
Addressing the 37th International Conference of the Round Table on Archives in Cape Town on Tuesday, Ngubane said historians, researchers and South Africans will be able to make use of the collection to rewrite the history books for future generations.
"The Promotion of Access to Information Act gives effect to the constitutional right to freedom of access to information, and the Act essentially governs access to the TRC's records," Ngubane said.
Ngubane told the delegates that good and efficient record keeping was vital for good governance. "The creation of efficient systems, the challenges posed by information technology and the management of electronic records, are critical in rendering
effective and accountable services to people."
Ngubane said a meeting of representatives from eastern and southern Africa on Monday had agreed that African countries should build their capacity to manage electronic records.
"A lot of decisions are now based on what is transferred and discussed through the electronic media," Ngubane said, adding that African countries needed to mobilise support to build and strengthen their capacity for the programme.
At the end of Tuesday's session a draft declaration on archives was presented to the conference, emphasising the role played by archives in good governance and democratic accountability.
Source: BuaNews
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