Maseru, July 20 — The Director General of the Lesotho Library and Archives Mr. Motlalepula Lethibelane has underscored the critical role of proper records, document and archives management in promoting accountability, preserving national memory and ensuring access to information.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (ESARBICA) Board of Directors Meeting and the ESARBICA Archives and Records Management Training Programme in Maseru, Mr. Lethibelane indicated that effective records management is the backbone of every institution and an indication of good governance and sustainable development.
He noted that records are not merely pieces of paper stored in offices, but valuable assets that provide evidence of decisions, transactions and government activities.
He stressed that without proper records management, institutions struggle to retrieve information, resulting in delays in service delivery, poor decision-making and loss of institutional memory.
“Life becomes difficult when organisations cannot access their documents and information as accurate records are essential for transparency, accountability and efficient public administration,” he said.
Mr. Lethibelane explained that records management begins from the moment a document is created, while document management ensures the systematic organisation, storage and retrieval of information adding that archives management focuses on preserving records of enduring value for future generations enabling governments and citizens to understand their history and safeguard their heritage.
He said that the increasing use of digital technologies has made records management more complex, requiring institutions to strengthen their systems to protect both physical and electronic records from loss, damage and unauthorised access.
Mr. Lethibelane welcomed delegates from across the Eastern and Southern African region saying the ESARBICA meeting provides an important platform for professionals to exchange knowledge, share best practices and develop innovative solutions to emerging challenges in archives and records management.
He urged records and archives professionals to champion a culture of proper record-keeping in both the public and private sectors, emphasising that reliable records support justice, protect citizens’ rights, enhance institutional efficiency and contribute to national development.
The ESARBICA Board of Directors Meeting and the Archives and Records Management Training Programme have brought together experts and practitioners from member states to deliberate on strengthening records and archives management systems across the region through capacity building, collaboration and the adoption of international best practices.
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