adminThe Herald, August 24, 1985
THE National Archives of Zimbabwe celebrates its 50th anniversary with numerous public exhibitions next month.
Director of the Archives, Mrs Angeline Kamba, said the formation of the archives in 1935 was remarkable since few countries at that time had made provision on a national basis for the preservation of their documentary heritage.
Established to preserve the administrative records of the British South Africa Company, it served as the archives for the defunct Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and now has the task of documenting Zimbabwe’s oral history and storing the records of the Government, local authorities, and parastatals
President Banana will officially launch the Archives open days in Harare during which the public will see the institution’s behind-the-scenes operations.
During the second half of next month, there will be various exhibitions at the Archives in Gun Hill, Harare, and the main branch of Kingston’s news agents in the city.
There will also be exhibitions in Bulawayo’s National Gallery at the same time.
Mrs Kamba said the Post Office will sell commemorative stamps to mark the anniversary.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
◆ Established in 1935, the National Archives was instituted through an Act of Parliament in 1936.
◆ Part of Zimbabwe’s national memory is contained at the National Archives, in multi-media formats. The Archives are a useful resource for researchers locally and internationally.
◆ Going digital is not only the new normal for any organisation wishing to thrive in the 21st Century, but it will also ensure that the Archives’ contents are accessed by clientele outside Zimbabwe at a fee – 24-hours-a- day, 365 days a year.
Online Reporter