On 16 to 17 September 2025, the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) through its Archives and Records Management Directorate is hosting a two-day provincial seminar in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Gqeberha. The event, guided by the theme “Exploring Initiatives to Accelerate Transformation of the Eastern Cape Archives in the 4IR,” brings together professionals to discuss how archives can evolve, why digital transformation is essential, and how new technologies will change the preservation of history.
What Happened
The seminar focuses on the transformation of archives and records centres from 1994 to the present, placing emphasis on aligning with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Discussions include the digitisation of archives, development of online access platforms, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve search, retrieval, and preservation.
Key experts warned that while there is pressure to move quickly into digital systems, record custodians must not neglect the manual preparation of documents before conversion. Proper groundwork, they said, is vital for long-term preservation and access.
Official Response
DSRAC officials said the seminar represents a turning point for how archives are viewed in the Eastern Cape.
“This transformation is about more than technology – it is about ensuring accessibility, preservation, and dignity in how we handle records for future generations,” an official explained.
They stressed that the 4IR approach is intended to build sustainable systems that balance efficiency with proper custodianship of historical documents.
Community Impact
The seminar has been welcomed by archivists, historians, and local government officials, who see digital transformation as a way to make archives more accessible to students, researchers, and communities.
