The National Library of South Africa (NLSA) is proud to join the global community in celebrating World
Digital Preservation Day, an annual event dedicated to recognising the critical role of digital preservation
in safeguarding our cultural heritage and knowledge for future generations. This year’s World Digital
Preservation Day will be celebrated under the theme “Digital Preservation: A Concerted Effort”.
The National Library of South Africa has been at the forefront of digital preservation efforts, working
diligently to safeguard the rich tapestry of South Africa’s documentary heritage. The NLSA’s commitment
to preserving digital content is driven by the belief that access to information and cultural heritage is a
fundamental right.
Mr Kepi Madumo, National Librarian and CEO of the NLSA explains the NLSA’s commitment to
safeguarding the nation’s documentary heritage. “As the world commemorates World Digital
Preservation Day, the National Library of South Africa proudly stands at the forefront of the digital
preservation movement, preserving our nation’s documentary heritage with unwavering dedication, a
task that resonates deeply with our mandate. In an age where information is increasingly stored in digital
formats, the NLSA preserves the past for the benefit of future generations, making digitised material
accessible to all.”
The NLSA has created partnerships with various stakeholders to share best practices and collaborate
on more effective ways to preserve and safeguard heritage collections. Notably, the National Library of
South Africa in partnership with the University of Cape Town Libraries, the Endangered Archives
Programme of the British Library and the National University of Lesotho recently hosted a Round Table
Dialogue under the theme “Preserving and Conserving Documentary Heritage in Africa: A Strategic
Imperative”.
To celebrate World Digital Preservation Day, the National Library of South Africa will throughout the month of November share information about the NLSA’s digitisation work and how the public can access the digitised materials.
For more information on the National Library of South Africa’s World Digital Preservation Day celebrations, please visit the NLSA website: www.nlsa.ac.za
ENDS
Media enquiries:
Ms. Jolene Bhadais
Director: Communications, Marketing and Stakeholder Relations
064 625 7281 or jolene.bhadais@nlsa.ac.za