Story by Gay Matambo

GOVERNMENT has intensified efforts to modernise records and archives management through the adoption of digital technologies, as part of broader measures to improve administrative efficiency, preserve national heritage and enhance public access to information.

The push for digital transformation took centre stage at the ongoing Annual General Conference Symposium for Records and Archives in Nyanga, which has brought together archival professionals, information managers and policymakers to discuss modernisation strategies for the sector.

Speaking at the symposium, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Honourable Chido Sanyatwe said the transition from paper-based systems to digital platforms is now a strategic necessity aligned with national development priorities.

“We are witnessing information being increasingly born, transmitted, stored and accessed digitally. As such, the thought-provoking theme for this year’s symposium, Digital Records and Archives for the Future: Preservation, Access and Security, is highly relevant as it addresses the urgent need for the seamless integration of emerging technologies into our day-to-day operations,” she said.

The symposium comes at a time when institutions responsible for records and archives management are seeking to balance the preservation of physical records with the adoption of modern digital preservation systems.

Head of the Department of Information Management and Archival Science at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Mr Delight Sigauke said digital transformation is reshaping the way information is created, managed, preserved and accessed.

“The digital revolution is already upon us and is altering the face of every profession across the globe. It is reshaping how societies create, manage, preserve and access information. Nations are increasingly adopting intelligent technologies to improve governance, enhance service delivery, strengthen economic competitiveness and better respond to the needs of citizens,” he said.

National Archives of Zimbabwe Director, Mrs Mamvura said the symposium provides an important platform for stakeholders to address challenges affecting digital records management while exploring innovative solutions.

“The symposium offers a valuable platform to extensively deliberate on these challenges, exchange ideas, share experiences, showcase innovations and collectively explore practical solutions for strengthening the adoption of digital records and archives management,” she said.