BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
THE NATIONAL Archives of Zimbabwe (NAZ) says it has embarked on a project to establish community archives to preserve memory spaces within communities across the country.
NAZ director Ivan Murambiwa confirmed the development this week which coincided with commemorations of the International Archives Week (IAW) running under the theme Empowering Archives.
Established by the International Council on Archives (ICA) to commemorate the formation of the council in 1948 in France under the auspices of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), IAW is recognised by archival institutions across the globe. NAZ, which was created by an Act of Parliament in 1935, is an active member of ICA, which is an international organisation committed to the effective management of archival records and preservation of the world’s archival heritage.
In a statement, Murambiwa said NAZ realised that heritage was being lost, hence the mission to identify communities to assist in setting up their own archives.
Traditionally, June 9 is celebrated as the International Archive Day.
“NAZ is the proud custodian of the country’s historical documents and will continue to support communities and institutions which intend to establish their own archives at local level,” Murambiwa said.
“In line with the theme Empowering Archives, NAZ has embarked on establishing community archives with a pilot project being Arcturus High community archive in 2019. Other community archives were established at the Girls High School and Zion Christian Church Mbungo.”
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“The setting up of the Shabani Mine community archive in Zvishavane is in progress. The main thrust behind this project is to establish a community archive in every province,” he said.
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