President Calls for Inclusive and Digitally-Driven Archival Preservation

His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially opened the 28th Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (ESARBICA) General Conference today in the iconic city of Victoria Falls.

The event brought together senior government officials, regional ministers, archivists, and international delegates to engage on the future of archival management and preservation.

Addressing delegates, the President emphasized the cultural and historical significance of archives in safeguarding national identity and heritage. He welcomed participants including the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Hon. Kazembe Kazembe; senior government officials and representatives of the International Council on Archives.

“This conference provides a platform for the exchange of professional ideas and expertise in the administration and preservation of archives and records at both regional and national levels,” the President said. “Archives are a vital repository of memory, identity, and culture. They are central to telling our story as Africans — by us, for us.”

The President lauded the conference theme “Archives are Accessible -Archives for Everyone,” which underscores the importance of democratizing access to information. He called on archival institutions to develop inclusive outreach strategies that empower grassroots communities, ensuring that historical records are not just the domain of academics and historians.

He reiterated Zimbabwe’s commitment to expanding access to information through digital platforms. Highlighting the country’s implementation of an electronic document and records management system, he called on participants to leverage ICTs and artificial intelligence to enhance the preservation and accessibility of records.

“Although paper records will persist, technological tools must now be used to efficiently manage information,” he said. “We must adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution while safeguarding the integrity and security of archival collections.”

The President also underscored the impact of climate change on archival preservation. With natural disasters such as cyclones and floods posing a threat to physical repositories, he urged the adoption of sustainable practices in archival infrastructure development, aligned with Zimbabwe’s commitments under the UN climate protocols.

Another key highlight of the address was a passionate call for the repatriation of stolen African cultural artifacts and archives currently held by former colonial powers.

“Our identity, dignity, and history are incomplete without the return of these vital records,” he stated. “Africa must tell its own story, and this conference must amplify our legitimate demand for the return of our cultural heritage.”

The President commended efforts by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to engage local communities in the documentation and preservation of their own histories through the Community Archives Project, allowing communities to maintain custody of their own stories.

In closing, the President challenged stakeholders to adopt innovative and secure archival practices and modern policy frameworks that address the digital divide and ensure inclusivity across all demographics.

“Let us walk the talk and celebrate the potential of archives to preserve and shape our cultural identity,” he said. “Let us learn from one another and invest in the shared future of our region’s heritage.”

With those words, he officially declared the 28th ESARBICA General Conference open.

The conference is expected to run till the 20th, with sessions focused on digital transformation, accessibility, heritage protection, and regional collaboration in archival practice.

By Tafadzwa G Matsa