08/05/2026
ANNUAL ARCHIVES AWARENESS WEEK: 08 – 15 MAY 2026
The National Archives Awareness Week 2026 serves as an important platform to promote the role of archives in preserving the collective memory, identity, and history of society. Archives are not only repositories of historical records and government documentation, but also valuable sources of information that support accountability, transparency, research, justice, and nation-building. Within the Northern Cape Government, archives play a critical role in ensuring that records of enduring value are properly managed, preserved, and made accessible for future generations.
The implementation of archival services within government departments assists in promoting sound records management practices, compliance with legislation, and the preservation of institutional memory. Through proper classification, storage, transfer, and preservation of records, archives ensure that important government information remains accessible to the public and protected for administrative, legal, and historical purposes.
South Africa will commemorate Archives Awareness Week 2026 under the theme: “Archives for Justice.” The annual programme seeks to popularise the archives profession, strengthen public understanding of archival services, and encourage communities to appreciate the importance of preserving documented heritage and societal memory. The week further provides members of the public with opportunities to engage directly with archival institutions and witness archival functions and services first hand.
As part of the national programme, the official launch of National Archives Awareness Week will take place on 08 May 2026 at the North West Provincial Archives in Mahikeng. This will be followed by a Dialogue of all nine Provincial Archivists on 09 May 2026, also hosted at the North West Provincial Archives. The engagement will provide a platform for provincial archivists from across South Africa to deliberate on matters affecting the archives and records management sector.
The Northern Cape provincial programme will be hosted in Springbok from 11 – 15 May 2026. Activities during the week will include Records Management presentations focusing on the transfer of A20 records to archival repositories.
These engagements will be conducted at the following client offices:
• Namakwa District Municipality
• Nama Khoi Local Municipality
• Local government departments and stakeholders within the district.
The programme will further create awareness around the services offered by archives, processes required to access classified information, and the importance of proper records management within institutions.
In addition, the Department is currently reviewing the National Archives and Records Service Act of 1996, as amended, to ensure that it remains responsive to modern challenges, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the updating of archival terminology, the strengthening of penalties for non-compliance, and the establishment of cooperation with emerging regulatory bodies such as the Information Regulator.
The overall objective of the week is to strengthen awareness of archives as instruments of justice, accountability, governance, and preservation of heritage, while promoting good record-keeping practices across institutions and communities.
For enquiries, contact:
The Provincial Archivist: Mr. Murvin A. Mabe
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 053 492 5555 / 067 682 1837
