https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/2585 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 23:00:36 GMT 2026-08-03T23:00:36Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32766 Digital curation of public archives through free and open-source software in South Africa Shekgola, Moses Mahlatse Free and open-source software (FOSS) offers a viable solution for supporting digital curation, the transfer and long-term preservation of digital archives in South Africa. This is important since many governmental institutions, including archival institutions in South lack of infrastructure including reliable software’s, storage capacity and technical expertise, to ingest digital records as the sharpest thorn in the management and preservation of records. FOSS is lauded for reducing dependence on proprietary technologies, lower software costs, improve interoperability and promote digital sovereignty. Despite these benefits, its implementation across public sector institutions remains limited. Most public archival institutions rely on proprietary and to incur high licensing costs, software vendor lock-in, and limited flexibility. The above-mentioned factors thus threaten sustainability and long-term digital preservation of archives. This qualitative case study utilised constructs from the Digital Curation Centre (DCC) Lifecycle Model, the Records Life Cycle Model, and insights from the literature review to investigate the digital curation of public archives through FOSS in South Africa. Records managers and information technology (IT) specialists were purposively selected from national government departments and the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (NARSSA). Only institutions that had implemented electronic content management or digital records management systems were included in the study. Two participants were selected from each organisation, representing records management and information technology functions. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document analysis to enable methodological triangulation. The data were analysed thematically and presented using themes supported by word clouds, figures, tables, and verbatim quotations in accordance with the study objectives. The analysis generated themes relating to the policy, legislative and standards framework governing FOSS and digital curation; existing digital curation solutions; the digital curation competencies of archives and records professionals; organisational and technological factors influencing the adoption of FOSS; interoperability of digital records management systems; security measures supporting digital curation; and strategies for promoting the implementation of FOSS in the digital curation of public archives in South Africa. The findings reveal that proprietary software dominates digital curation practices within South African national government departments. Most participating institutions rely on commercial enterprise content management systems for records management and digital preservation. Although participants demonstrated awareness of FOSS and recognised several of its potential advantages, this knowledge has not translated into practical implementation. Instead, organisations continue to favour proprietary platforms because of existing institutional investments, established vendor relationships and perceptions regarding technical support and reliability. The study further identified several benefits associated with implementing FOSS for digital curation. Moreover, participant acknowledged that open-source software can significantly reduce software licensing costs, increase organisational flexibility, eliminate vendor lock-in, improve interoperability between information systems and allow institutions to customise software according to their operational requirements. FOSS also promotes transparency, encourages collaborative software development and supports the long-term sustainability of digital preservation initiatives. Furthermore, the availability of source code allows institutions greater control over system development and future technological upgrades. Despite these recognised benefits, the study identified numerous barriers hindering FOSS implementation. These include inadequate management support, limited technical expertise among information technology personnel, insufficient awareness of available FOSS solutions, organisational resistance to technological change, inadequate financial investment in digital preservation initiatives and the absence of comprehensive implementation frameworks. Concerns regarding technical support, software maintenance, staff training and system integration further discourage organisations from migrating away from proprietary platforms. Additionally, procurement practices and existing ICT governance structures tend to favour commercial software vendors, making the transition to FOSS more difficult. The study further established that while South Africa possesses national policies encouraging FOSS adoption, implementation remains fragmented and inconsistent across government departments. Existing policy directives have not been sufficiently translated into organisational strategies, operational guidelines or implementation plans. As such, institutions lack clear governance structures that promote the evaluation and adoption of open-source technologies for digital curation. This policy-practice gap represents one of the major obstacles preventing widespread FOSS implementation within the archival sector. Another important finding concerns organisational capacity since successful implementation of FOSS requires skilled personnel capable of installing, configuring, maintaining and supporting open-source applications. The study found that many public entities experience shortages of specialised digital preservation and open-source software skills. This skills gap limits organisational confidence in adopting FOSS and reinforces continued dependence on proprietary vendors. Drawing on the findings, the study proposes several strategies for promoting FOSS implementation in digital curation. These include strengthening government commitment to FOSS through enforceable implementation frameworks, developing national guidelines for digital curation using open-source technologies, increasing investment in staff training and capacity building, establishing collaborative communities of practice among archives and government departments, integrating FOSS into archival education programmes and promoting pilot projects that demonstrate successful implementation. The study further recommends partnerships between government, universities, archival institutions and the open-source community to encourage knowledge sharing and technical support. The study concludes that while awareness of FOSS exists within South African public entities, its practical adoption for digital curation remains extremely limited. Proprietary software continues to dominate despite government policy support for open-source technologies and the recognised benefits of FOSS. Unless public institutions address organisational, technical, policy and capacity-related barriers, South Africa is likely to remain dependent on proprietary digital preservation solutions, potentially compromising the long-term sustainability, affordability and independence of its digital archival infrastructure. Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32766 2024-04-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32506 The utilisation of digital records keeping systems: a case of the National Institute for Occupational Health in South Africa Matomane, Lwando Silas This study investigates the utilisation of digital records keeping systems in a form of a case study at the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) in South Africa benchmarked against the National records keeping guidelines. The flaunting of records-keeping principles in health service institutions often results in a deficiency of transparency among the organisation's various records management departments. It is recommended that people in charge of records should undergo training and be qualified to do diligent records keeping roles. The study focuses on the NIOH employees responsible for the management of digital records. These employees form the target population of the study. The study is based on an interpretivist approach, which is used to investigate the digital records keeping phenomena. Furthermore, the study followed a qualitative research method: using interviews, observations, case studies, and content analysis to collect and analyse data to assess the utilisation of the digital records keeping strategies at the NIOH. Judgmental sampling was used because it allowed for the selection of participants based on specific knowledge and contribution to the study. Ethical clearance was applied for in respect of the participants’ consent regarding the utilisation of the digital records keeping strategies. The preliminary findings of the study outline the digital record-keeping strategies suitable for the NIOH in South Africa. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32506 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32502 Information behaviour of refugees in North Western Uganda Mukungu, Isaac Information behaviour attempts to understand how different categories of users respond to, and utilise information products. This study focussed on exploring the behaviour of refugees in North Western Uganda in relation to their need for information, the means by which they seek information, the ways in which they use information and the problems encountered in the processes of information interaction. Because refugees face different integration and sustenance difficulties in their host communities, this study offers insights that can ameliorate refugees’ situations in host communities through information access and use. The study was qualitative in nature and adopted phenomenological design. Its population included refugees in North Western Uganda including youths above 18 years of age and adult women and men as well as refugee administrators from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) of Uganda at Bidi Bidi refugee settlement. A purposively selected sample of 60 participants was used in the study. Non participatory observation, group and individual interview techniques were espoused to gather data. Data collected were analysed thematically using Atlas.ti 24 version and presented and interpreted into meaningful information that depicted the lived experiences of refugees at Bidi Bidi settlement. Findings from the study revealed that refugees had various information needs including faith and spiritual, legal, economic, sociological, technological and others. Refugees utilised a multitude of information sources including persons, media based as well as community centres in their information seeking. Refugees possessed different information seeking patterns and behaviours. Based on the refugees’ information seeking and use patterns, a model depicting refugees’ information behaviour in pursuit of information needs satisfaction was developed. Refugees faced physiological, sociological, psychological and technological difficulties in their information seeking and use which generated recommendations that ensure information access and use among the refugee community. The study findings offer insights that help comprehend refugees’ information behaviour and offer measures to overcome information seeking and use difficulties at Bidi Bidi settlement by modelling the refugees’ information behaviour. The study was limited by language barrier resulting in more time in the field. Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32502 2025-03-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32426 Strategies for enhancing changes in the implementation of records and archives management programmes in Tanzania Kiyabo, Hamisi This study aimed to develop strategies for enhancing changes in the implementation of records and archives management programmes in Tanzania. The objectives included determining the effects of inputs such as resources and records management frameworks on sustainable implementation, exploring the effects of monitoring activities, evaluating public organisations' evaluation tactics, and developing a framework for change strategies. Changes in records management programmes are inevitable, and organisations must master change management processes, understand drivers, and provide top management support. However, many organisations struggle with enhancing changes due to unfamiliarity with important issues and processes. In Tanzania, despite a well-designed National Records and Archives Management Policy since 2011, non-compliant behaviour, lack of key performance indicators, limited funds, and shortage of skilled personnel hinder effective implementation. The study employed a result chain framework to analyse the sustainable implementation of records management programmes through an exploratory qualitative approach. Data was collected via focus groups, in-depth interviews, and document analysis, with participants selected based on their roles in records management. The findings of the study highlighted the importance of clear objectives, responsibilities, legal framework, staffing, training, monitoring and evaluation, and resource allocation for effective records management in institutions. However, challenges such as lack of understanding, inadequate budgets, and a poorly structured organisational structure hinder the implementation of these activities. The study recommends the strategies to enhance records and archives management, including respecting the profession, raising awareness, hiring professional personnel, allocating budgets, creating an independent department, renaming the term "registry," and involving top management in records management issues. This study's distinctive contribution lies in the creation of a framework that enhances the implementation of records management programmes.; Utafiti huu ulilenga kuandaa mikakati ya kuimarisha mabadiliko katika utekelezaji wa programu za menejimenti ya kumbukumbu na nyaraka nchini Tanzania. Malengo hayo yalijumuisha kubainisha athari za viwezeshi (inputs) kama vile rasilimali na mifumo ya menejimenti ya kumbukumbu katika utekelezaji endelevu, kuchunguza athari za shughuli za ufuatiliaji, kutathmini mbinu za ufuatiliaji zinazotumiwa na taasisi za umma, na kuandaa mfumo wa mikakati ya mabadiliko. Mabadiliko katika programu za usimamizi wa kumbukumbu hayawezi kuepukika, na mashirika lazima yawe na udhibiti wa michakato ya usimamizi, kuelewa visababishi vya mabadiliko, na kutoa usaidizi wa juu wa usimamizi. Hata hivyo, mashirika mengi yanatatizika kuboresha mabadiliko kutokana na kutofahamika kwa masuala muhimu na taratibu. Nchini Tanzania, licha ya sera iliyoundwa vizuri tangu mwaka 2011, tabia zisizofuata kanuni, ukosefu wa viashirio muhimu vya utendaji kazi, uhaba wa fedha, na uhaba wa wafanyakazi wenye ujuzi unazuia utekelezaji mzuri. Utafiti ulitumia mfumo wa mnyororo wa matokeo. Data ilikusanywa kupitia vikundi lengwa, mahojiano ya kina, na uchambuzi wa hati, huku washiriki wakichaguliwa kulingana na majukumu yao katika programu za menejimenti ya kumbukumbu. Matokeo ya utafiti yalibainisha umuhimu wa uongozi wa juu, malengo yaliyo wazi, majukumu, mfumo wa kisheria, utumishi, mafunzo, ufuatiliaji na tathmini, na ugawaji wa rasilimali kwa ajili ya usimamizi bora wa kumbukumbu katika taasisi. Hata hivyo, changamoto kama vile ukosefu wa uelewa, ufinyu wa bajeti, na muundo duni wa shirika huzuia utekelezaji wa shughuli hizi. Utafiti unapendekeza mikakati ya kuimarisha utekelezaji endelevu wa menejiment ya kumbukumbu na nyaraka ikiwa ni pamoja na kuheshimu taaluma, kuongeza ufahamu, kuajiri wafanyakazi wa kitaalamu, kutenga bajeti, kuunda idara inayojitegemea, kubadili jina la "masijala," na kuhusisha uongozi wa juu katika masuala ya utunzaji wa kumbukumbu. Mchango wa kipekee wa utafiti huu upo katika kuunda mfumo unaoboresha utekelezaji wa programu za menejimenti ya kumbukumbu na nyaraka. Text in English with abstract in English and Swahili Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32426 2026-04-01T00:00:00Z