Records Management Practices in the South African Public Sector

An effective records management programme is a major element of the governance of any organisation. The proper management of records can make a vital contribution to the achievement of business objectives, information sharing, legal compliance, administrative efficiency, etc. Despite these benefits offered by a records management programme, many organisations, including government departments, pay little attention to the management of records. In South Africa, government departments are under legislative obligations to adopt a systematic and organised approach to the management of records. This book, therefore, explores records management trends in the South African public sector with reference to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. Historical account of record-keeping by the state archives is also discussed. Data was collected through content analysis, online questionnaires, physical observation and interviews. This book can serve as a catalyst for modification and formulation of records management policies and should be especially useful to professionals and students in archives and records management fields.