Abstract
The 4th industrial revolution (4IR) has brought significant technological advancements that have impacted various sectors, including governance and record-keeping. This chapter examines the challenges faced by traditional councils when preserving records during the 4IR. The chapter adopted a desktop research methodology. The data were subjected to substantive and extensive analysis through the instrumentality of content validity, content analysis, and textual criticism to establish facts that defend or refute the hypothesis. The study revealed that traditional councils lack the necessary infrastructure and resources to digitise records, leading to concerns about data loss, system failures, and cybersecurity threats. In essence, the councils are still struggling to protect and secure the records preserved in their custody; as such, council members need digital literacy training. The study recommends strategies that traditional councils should use to preserve records during the 4IR.
TopIntroduction
Almost every African country has some type of traditional council in its communities. To ensure the exercise of power and authority, the most typical systems of traditional leadership are kings, chiefs, headmen, and village heads. Traditional councils are the most direct form of authority in many rural sections of the continent due to their structure. Thus, understanding decentralisation in an African setting frequently implies acknowledging their involvement at the local government level. Traditional councils also support and contribute to improvement, delivery of services, building a nation, community peace, stability, and cohesiveness, moral regeneration, and cultural and traditional preservation. Traditional councils also play a vital role in many societies, serving as custodians of cultural heritage, ancestral knowledge, and governance systems. Clay tablets, stone drawings, stone carvings, parchment and vellum, leather, cloths, and tree barks are some of the ancient techniques of maintaining records in Africa (Motsi2004, 63). In South Africa, the Constitution (1996) which is the supreme law of the Republic recognises the traditional council in Chapter 12(1) which states that in accordance with customary law, the institution, status, and role of traditional leadership, is duly recognised.
The advent of the 4IR, characterised by technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT), has transformed the way society’s function. In the context of traditional councils, this revolution poses unique challenges and opportunities in preserving their records of their cultural identity and heritage. According to Külcü (2009), a record is characterised either by the actual observable form in which it exists or by the information it holds. It should be observed that records vary in format and size, as well as their contents. Malake and Phiri (2020) argue that organisations produce, keep, and preserve records so that they may be utilised. If a user cannot find a document, it may as well not exist. According to Shepherd (2003), effective record management would help organizations conduct operations in a more efficient and fiscally responsible manner, while maintaining consistency in service delivery, decision-making by management, and the openness of policy formulation, execution, and management. This chapter aims to explore the challenges faced when preserving records in traditional councils during the 4IR and suggests strategies for effective record management.
To achieve the above aim, the objectives of the study were to:
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Ascertain the significance of records in the traditional councils.
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Investigate the digitalisation challenges faced by traditional councils when preserving records.
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Determine data security concerns of records in the traditional council.
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Explore the digital literacy level of the council members.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Technological: Pertains to anything related to technology, which encompasses the application of scientific knowledge, engineering principles, and practical skills to create, modify, or improve tools, machines, systems, and processes.
Traditional Council: Means a traditional council that has been established and recognised for a traditional community in accordance with the provisions of section 3 of the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act, 2003 (Act No. 41 of 2003) or any corresponding provision in provincial legislation.
4th Industrial Revolution: Refers to a transformative period characterised by the convergence of digital, physical, and biological technologies, leading to significant and profound changes in various aspects of society, economy, and industry.
Data Security: Data security refers to the practice of protecting digital information, such as files, databases, and systems, from unauthorised access, alteration, or destruction.
Records: This refers to information generated, received, and kept as evidence and information by an organisation or individual while fulfilling legal responsibilities or conducting economic activities.
Digitalisation: The art of converting the contents of a document from hard copy into machine-readable format.
Preservation: Is a systematic procedure of minimising or lowering damage risks to decrease the pace of degradation of materials.