The South African Society of Archivists (SASA) is a professional association representing archivists and records managers throughout South Africa.  SASA seeks to perform the role common to professional associations, which includes:

• providing a forum for the sharing of professional expertise;
• laying down professional standards of performance;
• representing concerns of members to outside organizations;
• and protecting the interests of the profession.

In practice SASA achieves these objectives through:

• the publication of a professional journal,
• the maintenance of a website,
• the holding of conferences,
• the development of regional branches,
• participation in the development of professional and training standards;
• provision of training and workshops; and
• and the provision of input on relevant matters.

The objective of SASA as described in our Constitution is:

“the development of Archival Science and the promotion of the Archival Profession in South Africa”

SASA has been registered as a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO)      

Background

SASA was established in 1959 with the main objective of the “furtherance of Archival Science in general and particularly in South Africa”.  This objective is still upheld by SASA today.  An accredited publication The Journal of the South African Society of Archivists was published, which for many years formed the backbone of the Society and played an important role in furthering professional best practice in an ever changing environment. 

We are actively working to stimulate and grow regional representation, and welcome participation from professionals in each region to develop and grow membership.

Leadership

A National Committee is elected by the membership for a two-year term of office. The new Committee is actively engaged in a number of initiatives aimed at revitalising SASA and the profession.  Office bearers on the national committee are and have always been full-time employed archivists or records management professionals at various archival institutions and work on the Committee is entirely on a voluntary basis. 

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: SASA CONFERENCE ON THE ROLE OF ARCHIVES AND RECORDS IN THE ERA OF MISINFORMATION, EAST LONDON, EASTERN CAPE 3 – 5 JULY 2018

The South African Society of Archivists is going to host its annual conference on the theme “Archives and Records in the era of misinformation” on 3-5 July 2018 in Eastern Cape Province (East London).

The proliferation of social media and media divergence has seen publication of fake news, leaking of information and other challenges. How do we rely on archives and records as source of information in this era of misinformation? Can we still talk of one source of truth? How do we ensure archives and records’ accuracy and authenticity in such circumstances? How can we evaluate and assess sources of information using archives and records? Does the proliferation of technology heralds new opportunities to archives and records management?

Papers on topics that address the theme of the conference and the following areas will be considered for inclusion in the conference programme. Accepted papers will be considered for publication in the Journal of South African Society of Archivists.

Papers covering the following themes relating to national archival and records system will be considered:

• Policies and legislation addressing misinformation
• Managing and preserving social media records
• Information governance
• Digital records forensics
• Protection of personal data
• Access to archives and records in the digital age
• Education and training
• Traceability of data
• Trust in e-government and e-governance
• Ethics

Practice-based papers are also encouraged.

Important Dates:
Submission of abstracts: 8 December 2017
Notification of acceptance of abstracts: 12 January 2018
Paper submission: 30 March 2018.
Notification of acceptance: 31 May 2018.
Camera-ready copy: 15 June 2018

Abstracts of less than 300 words should be submitted to Prof Mpho Ngoepe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Download the call for abstracts

ORAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA 15th Annual National Conference 2018, 09-12 OCTOBER 2018, Cape Town

CALL FOR PAPERS

THEME: FREEDOM AND EGALITARIANISM: NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA, THE SYMBOL OF DEMOCRACY

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s fame rests on his role as a revolutionary leader who spent nearly seven decades of his life in the struggle against white minority rule and for a free democratic nonracial society.

He came out of prison and became a statesman who was respected internationally. His greatness lies in the fact that he was a visionary, a unifier, a democrat and international political leader who exercised his influence and leadership with humility and respect for his colleagues and opponents alike. In his heydays he participated in sports and lived healthy lifestyle

Sub-Themes:

• Archiving oral history
• Sport legends: their stories
• Culture and healthy lifestyles
• The role of Oral history in libraries, museums, heritage sites and tourism
• Sexuality narratives: gender, discrimination, illness, healthy lifestyle choices
• Histories of the healthy lifestyles and other stories of the Khoi and San Communities
• Oral history of community sport, school sport and recreational activities
• Oral history in the class room
• Histories of community-based health institutions; the role of IKS
• Teaching oral history or history: New perspectives
• Uncharted and unspoken histories of the liberation struggle
• Forced removals and dispossession: contested memories
• Women: history makers or auxiliary contributors?
• Students and youth: silent narratives
• Unity: truth and reconciliation

Proposals are invited for contributions to the 15th National Oral History Conference. Although the conference is primarily academic, case study reports and other contributions are welcome. The contributions must be based on original work and have a clear focus on oral history.

The envisaged end-product of the conference will be a publication of the proceedings. Interested contributors are encouraged to bring along to the conference papers that are photo ready for publication.

NB: THIS IS AN ORAL HISTORY CONFERENCE: PAPERS DELIVERED MUST BE BASED ON ORAL HISTORY RESEARCH, AND NOT ONLY ON PUBLISHED SOURCES If you are interested, please send us a short proposal including:

1. an abstract of your paper or case study report (100-300 words)
2. the relevant conference sub theme
3. a short biography of yourself (50-100 words)
4. your contact information (name and surname, affiliation, postal

address, e-mail address, phone and fax numbers)

  The duration of presentation will not exceed twenty (20) minutes and this will be followed by ten (10) minutes for discussion It is our intention to publish refereed conference proceedings. The papers shall not be longer than 5000 words. It is a requirement that finished papers be submitted by 30 September 2018 to Ms Brenda Kotze on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Deadline for proposals/abstracts is 23 APRIL 2018 The conference organising committee will confirm acceptance or rejection of your proposal by 01 JUNE 2018 Send proposal to:

Ms Brenda Kotze

National Archives and Records Service of South Africa

Tel: 012 441 3151

Cell: 082 600 5646

Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Convener:  15th Annual National Oral History Conference Ms. Nikiwe Momoti Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport Western Cape Provincial Archives and Records Service, Tel: 021 483 0401