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The preservation of digital records, particularly their authenticity, integrity and accessibility over time, is a critical challenge faced by institutions worldwide. In South Africa, these challenges are further compounded by inadequate infrastructure, legal complexities, ad limited resources, which threaten the long-term sustainability of digital repositories. This study aims to investigate the compliance of selected digital repositories in South Africa with the standards of a Trusted Digital Repository (TDR) and the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) model.

A qualitative research approach was used, assessing five purposefully selected repositories based on their significance in preserving South Africa’s digital cultural heritage. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with key personnel, content analysis of relevant documents (such as policies and procedures) and direct observations of repository environments to evaluate operational frameworks and technological infrastructure. A review of relevant literature informed the development of assessment criteria, while data from interviews, content analysis and observations were triangulated to ensure reliability.

The findings reveal significant shortcomings in compliance with OAIS and TDR standards, particularly in areas such as policy implementation, staffing, financial sustainability and technological infrastructure. None of the repositories fully met the OAIS responsibilities, and all lacked systems to ensure the independent understandability of digital records by designated communities.

The study highlights the need for improved staff training, stronger preservation policies and increased financial and technological investment to enhance compliance with international standards. Recommendations emphasize capacity building, strategic planning and collaborative efforts to sustainably manage South Africa’s digital heritage.

The study highlights the importance of preserving South Africa’s digital cultural heritage, which holds value for both present and future generations. Ensuring the authenticity, accessibility, and long-term sustainability of digital records is crucial for fostering a sense of national identity, supporting historical research and promoting inclusivity in cultural representation. By improving digital preservation practices, these repositories can serve as reliable resources for education, cultural engagement and community empowerment, ultimately strengthening social cohesion and collective memory in South Africa.

This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of digital repository compliance within South Africa, a context marked by unique infrastructural and resource constraints. The recommendations offer a foundation for addressing gaps in repository management and contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable digital preservation.

The purpose of this study is to highlight the indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) preservation efforts in South Africa, with a focus on the National Recordal System and the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Documentation Centres (IKSDCs) across South Africa.

Anchored in the interpretivist paradigm, the qualitative research approach was adopted to explore the objectives of the study. The multiple case study method was considered appropriate and adopted for the study. The data for this study was collected through comprehensive face-to-face interviews and Web content analysis. The population of the study consisted of the staff at the IKSDCs in the selected academic institutions. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the following set of participants in each academic institution: IKS managers/coordinators, digitization officers and online collection administrators.

The findings provide an in-depth understanding of the IKS landscape in South Africa. The findings and recommendations of this paper would be useful to researchers who wish to know more about digitization efforts in South Africa. It would also be useful to all stakeholders and policymakers.

The paper brings to the fore the efforts of the South African government in preserving IKS through documentation and digitization. The paper highlights the sources of indigenous knowledge, types of indigenous knowledge captured, how the indigenous knowledge is ingested in the repositories and how the data is captured. Generally, the roles of the IKSDCs in the capture and preservation of IKS are highlighted.

This study investigated the regulatory landscape surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of e-government development. The purpose of this article is to identify record-keeping challenges, opportunities and weaknesses that emerge from AI loose regulation. The research focuses on Sweden, Finland and South Africa, examining the interplay between existing guidelines, recommendations and legal structures at various levels.

The research adopted comprehensive systematic and scoping literature reviews, encompassing academic papers, reports and legal documents, along with an analysis of non-academic sources relevant to the study. This methodological approach helped to obtain a deep understanding of the evolving AI regulatory frameworks.

There is currently limited research that focuses on the impact AI deployment has on the management of critical records in government administrations. Also, the findings reveal that AI regulatory environment varies from country to country. The European Union stands as a noteworthy example of a comprehensive framework for AI governance. In contrast, South Africa, while at its infancy stage, demonstrates potential initiatives and policies at different levels. There is emphasis on the need to focus on co-operation, skills development and uniform regulatory frameworks.

This research holds significant practical implications for policymakers, government bodies and stakeholders involved in AI governance. It emphasizes how crucial it is to incorporate AI alongside a solid records management system. The study advocates for strategic investments in education and skills development to enable individuals to navigate the complexities of AI governance.

This research adds to the existing body of knowledge by providing an examination of AI legislation in e-government in the context of public records management. The analysis helps to review literature and other research materials across different geographical areas. The study explores the distinctive strategies used by Sweden, Finland and South Africa. The recommendations offer policymakers and stakeholders suggestions on how to foster effective AI governance and innovation in the public sector but at the same time manage public records effectively.