The ultimate goal of an archival institution is the proper care and easy accessibility of its holdings. However, many archival repositories remain unknown and their holdings are inaccessible. It is against this background that this study sought to investigate the accessibility and dissemination of archives held at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat Headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana. The study adopted the International Council of Archives (ICA) “Principles of Access to Archives” as its conceptual framework. The sample population comprised of purposely selected SADC Secretariat Headquarters staff and staff in satellite offices. The research approach was qualitative and data collection instruments comprised of a questionnaire, interview guide, document review, and personal observation. The key findings indicate a lack of an archives access policy, the existence of backlogs of unprocessed records, valuable records still being held in some SADC Member states, and the absence of a strategy for promoting access to the Secretariat archives. The key recommendations arising out of the study are that the SADC Secretariat should formulate an archives access policy; appraise, arrange and describe closed records held at the Secretariat; transfer records from member states that were used before sectors were centralised to the SADC Secretariat HQ; and finally, undertake an outreach programme to market its rich archival heritage.

Projects

Currently no objects available

Currently no objects available