A framework for enhancing the visibility and accessibility of public archives in South Africa

ABSTRACT In this article, the authors use the soft power concept as a framework to examine the visibility and accessibility of public archives in South Africa. The study employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative research approaches. It revealed that the public archives’ current visibility activities have only a marginal effect in promoting the visibility and accessibility of archival holdings and archival services. We suggest that public archives establish an active database of key stakeholders that include government’s top management, traditional authorities, legislators and donors of non-public records to collaborate on topics of interest and influence the public’s decision-making pattern regarding the value of an archival heritage for economic, social and cultural development in society. This ensures that public archives remain relevant and engage their public in this knowledge economy for public good. To accomplish this, we recommend a framework to serve as a benchmarking tool for public archives that seek to improve their visibility programmes.