The Role of National Archives in the Repatriation of Liberation Archives: Preservation, Heritage, and Ideals for Future Generations

The Role of National Archives in the Repatriation of Liberation Archives: Preservation, Heritage, and Ideals for Future Generations

Nkholedzeni Sidney Netshakhuma
Copyright: © 2022 |Pages: 15
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-8771-3.ch014
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Abstract

The liberation archives repatriated from all over the world play a role in redefining African states, especially in South African society. The chapter aims to assess the role of the National Archives of South Africa (NARSSA) in the repatriation of liberation archives for the benefit of the future generation in South Africa. This is because the National Archives of South Africa did not recognize marginalized people. Most of the records of the disadvantaged are not preserved by the NARSSA. Library archives bridge the gap in the national documentary heritage and provide insight into the history and development of the country. During the transition to democracy in 1994 in South Africa, scholars debated the question of filling the gap of undocumented history and access to liberation archives.
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Background

South African liberation movements include the African National Congress (ANC), the Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO), and Pan African National Congress (PAC). These political parties established archives repositories intending to preserve records created during the struggle against the apartheid system. Ngoepe and Netshakhuma (2018) refer to the liberation archives as the records created by the former liberation movements from 1960 to 1990 during their unbanning from political activities inside South Africa. Records created by political organizations include autograph manuscripts, publications, membership records, and photographs of political parties accumulated or associated with particular political parties (Howard & Kreiss, 2010; Magier, 2018).

Key Terms in this Chapter

Repatriation Process: This is an initiative taken by political organizations Such as ANC and PAC and AZAPO to return archival materials scattered all over the world to be preserved in South Africa.

Liberation Archives: These are records created by political organizations such as the ANC, PAC, and AZAPO when they were in exile.

Apartheid: This is a system of racial discrimination in South Africa introduced by the National Party in 1948.

Missions Offices: These are offices that act like embassy established neither by the ANC and PAC during the liberation struggle in South Africa.

National Archivist: It is a person appointed to be in charge of the National Archives of a country.

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