THE National Archives of Zimbabwe (NAZ) has announced plans to establish a community archives in the City of Bulawayo.
This is contained in a correspondence addressed to Bulawayo town clerk Christopher Dube, according to council minutes.
The NAZ was established in 1935 with a mandate to superintend over the management of all public sector records and promote the acquiring, preservation, and provision of access to all documentary heritage in Zimbabwe (NAZ Act 1986, Chapter 25:06).
According to the Act, the NAZ has the responsibility to raise awareness of the importance of preserving institutional memories of communities.
“This call for proposals is the first step towards promoting the establishment of community archives,” the minutes read.
“Under the National Development Strategy 1, the department was tasked with establishing at least one community archives in each of the country’s ten provinces.
“To date, NAZ has taken the initiative to guide and mentor selected organisations that have already made strides towards establishing their memory institutions in nine provinces, with Bulawayo as the only exception.
“It is against this background that Bulawayo province is the target for the 3rd cycle of the 100-Day projects as we close projects for NDS1.”
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The minutes added: “Your organisation also has a significant role to play in the development of the province as a whole, hence a need to ensure that its documented heritage is well preserved for posterity”.
City fathers endorsed the proposal and identified part of the City Hall library to house the community archives.
“Representatives from the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) had also inspected the place and approved it,” the minutes read.
“The NAZ in Harare had already seconded representatives to commence the project as of today.”
According to the minutes, all costs related to the project would be borne by the NAZ while council would only provide space for the community archives.
