Digital archiving - the current state at the National Archives of Zimbabwe

In the cyber space environment the overwhelming greater part of recently created information is digital. The carriers for recording information have progressed over time from memory to a digital copy. Technological innovations in computing science have now called for the progression from traditional formats to a variety of modern media and further deepened the challenges of digital preservation in houses of memory. In spite of advances in computer technology, African collecting institutions fall short to initiate digitization projects and online access to cultural heritage. This paper seeks to articulate the current landscape of digital heritage preservation at the National Archives of Zimbabwe and examine the barriers that have hindered the development of proficient digital archiving systems. Preservation of digital heritage is becoming important, as they are getting more and more popular in the virtual drama arts communities. In this post-modern environment digital heritage has gained full recognition as cultural assets in various countries. The paper further makes several recommendations on the policies, procedures and strategies for improving the state of digital preservation in Zimbabwean cultural institutions.