(Un)Liberated and Contested Narratives

This chapter analyses the influence of the state in shaping museum narratives, especially in a liberated society such as South Africa. It argues that while the notion of social cohesion and nation building is an ideal that many South African museums should strive for, the technocratisation of museum processes has to a degree led to a disregard of the public sphere as a space of open engagement. Secondly, the chapter also looks at the net-effect of museums professionals and boards in the development of their narrative. It argues that due to the nature of their expertise and interests, and the focus on their areas of specialisation, museums may hardly claim to be representative of the many voices they ought to represent. As such, the chapter explores contestations in museum spaces. It partly does so by exploring the notion “free-spokenness” and its limits in museum spaces. To amplify its argument, the chapter uses some exhibitions that generated critical engagements from Iziko Museums of South Africa.

Raising Awareness About Public Archives in East and Southern Africa Through Social Media

Archives serve as society's collective memory because they provide evidence of the past as well as promoting accountability and transparency of past actions. Appreciation of the archives should therefore result in citizens linking these records with their identity, history, civic duty and cultural heritage. However, research in east and southern Africa seems to indicate that very few citizens are aware of and use the archives. Social media platforms have been utilized to raise awareness about the archival institutions elsewhere. This study sought to find out whether the National Archives in east and southern Africa used social media to raise awareness about archives. The study involved 12 national archives affiliated to the East and Southern Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (ESARBICA) using a multi-method research strategy. The findings indicated that social media platforms were not a preferred option in outreach strategies, even though they were recognized as useful means to reach online information seekers.

Trends in the Utilization of the Holdings at the Bulawayo Archives and Records Centre, Zimbabwe (2014-2017)

Archives are the cornerstone of democracy, good governance and the protection of rights, yet many people do not understand their worth. Archivists have for years stressed that archives are central to community development and progress. However, the actual use of archives has usually told a different story, which has to be analysed to see how relevant archives are to their communities. This study sought to investigate the patterns of the usage of archival material at the Bulawayo Archives and Records Centre (BARC) from January 2014 to June 2017. The document analysis method was applied where research request slips filled in by clients were analysed to show the level of usage of archives at BARC.

Doing More With Less

Providing access and usage are the reason for existence of memory institutions such as archive repositories. Despite the importance of the visibility and accessibility of public archive repositories, various scholars concur that these repositories in eastern and southern Africa are not known and are accessed by few people. This chapter utilises the concept of soft power as a framework to examine the visibility and accessibility of public archives repositories in South Africa. A quantitative research approach utilising questionnaires, interviews, content analysis and the observation of landmarks were employed as data collection tools. The findings revealed that collaboration, especially with civil societies, is a key for successful public programming at the lowest cost. It concludes that the concept of soft power can provide deep insight and better understanding on how to develop inexpensive visibility programme, yet capable of attracting a large number of people in a sustainable manner.

Preserving Memory Through Branding

This chapter examines the role of museum brands as the connective tissue of several museum activities, including advocacy, promotion and public programming. Albeit broadly examined with reference to businesses, branding is rarely looked at in the museum context. By providing a review of the literature on museum branding, supported by extracts from interviews with museums managers conducted in the 2008-2018 period, the authors emphasize how the role of brands has progressively become more critical in the museum context and how brand management processes are increasingly developed in order to support museum activities. The chapter emphasizes how museums are not only institutions aimed at preserving their collections, but also organizations that should build an active relationship with their publics. Brands are, therefore, described as relational tools that can help museums to manage the relationship with their different stakeholders, including donors and funders. Managerial implications and future directions are outlined.

The Voortrekker Monument as Memory Institution

The Voortrekker Monument has been a central memory institution for Afrikaners since its conception in the 1930s. Built to commemorate 19th century white settlers moving into the interior, the Monument has for many years been appropriated by different groups for various purposes, including as an Afrikaner Nationalist symbol. Since the early 1990s, the Monument has made a concerted effort to change established perceptions and stigmas. The Monument's registration as a Section 21 Non-Profit Company in 1993 and declaration as National Heritage Site in 2011 were accompanied by a shift in focus from a political character to one where its aesthetic architectural heritage and tourism values are celebrated. These changes in character enabled and drove the expansion of the Voortrekker Monument heritage site as a memory institution. This chapter discusses the continued success of the Monument post-1994 as a national memory institution through the diversification of its visitors and programmes.

Advocating for Library and Information Services by National Library Associations of Africa in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

The chapter documents the role that is played by national library associations in advocating for the development of library and information services for the attainment of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda in Africa. A structured records review and literature review was done to solicit information on how national library associations are taking part in achieving the sustainable development goals. Websites of associations were looked at and participants were drawn from national library associations in Africa, Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa Library and Information Associations (SCECSAL), African Library and Information Association and Institution (AfLIA), and the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA). The results indicated that national library associations are facing challenges in their advocacy work and there is a need to offer training to library staff and improve communication between librarians and policymakers.

Customer Advocates

Libraries grow in uncertain financial, political and cultural environments. Advocacy is essential to ensure that they get the support they need from the communities in which they operate. Advocates, those who speak out on behalf of the library, are an essential factor in the success of the organization. This article explores the possibilities of developing library users into advocates, based on a relationship marketing model. It uses customer service as the primary tool for developing trusting relationships with users so that they are willing to speak on behalf of the library. Adding the issue of reputation and advocacy as strategic outcomes of customer service requires a different way of thinking and planning. The article concludes with a call for more investigation in this area.

Use of Public Programming Strategies in Promoting Access to Documentary Heritage at Zimbabwe National Archives

Archival institutions have a potential to transform the socioeconomic and political development of a people. It is therefore critical for them to be visible and accessible. To this effect, public programming emerges as a critical archival function performed by archivists to enhance the visibility and utilisation of archives. Through a grounded theory research approach, this study established that the National Archives of Zimbabwe (NAZ) performs a plethora of public programming activities to improve the visibility of the institution in the public domain. The potential of public programming activities to improve the utilisation of the archives at NAZ was found wanting as the institution lacked a planned schedule of outreach activities. This explains why visits to the research room were dwindling, hence the need for archivists to be proactive in reaching out to the people. The purpose of this chapter is to demonstrate public programming as the cornerstone to achieving better recognition and subsequent use of documentary heritage.

Building Inclusivity Through Connections With Community Archives

This chapter explores how to construct bridges between existing cultural institutions and community archives (or community groups wanting to develop archives) and the potential role for third-party organizations in bridging these groups. Further, research is presented that provides recommendations for library and archive practitioners who wish to build connections with groups in their communities. Connecting with participatory heritage is introduced as a means to build capacity in community groups for sustaining efforts to preserve and make accessible diverse histories.