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George Maponga in Masvingo

The Association of Records, Archives and Information practitioners has been launched in Masvingo amid unanimity that proper handling and management of information is key to driving the nation’s Vision 2030 agenda that seeks to propel Zimbabwe into an upper middle income society.

Speaking at the inaugural launch of the association, interim president Mr Sherphard Pondiwa says the foundation of strong nations is anchored on proper and good management of records.

Mr Pondiwa says the launch of the association of record managers in Masvingo is apt as the province is home to the iconic Great Zimbabwe monuments whose towering presence continues to serve as a lasting memory to the sophistication of the country’s forebears who will continue to inspire future generations to scale new highest.

Association of Records, Archives and Information practitioners president Mr Sherphard Pondiwa

The association was launched during a conference of record managers held under the theme: ”Retooling and Reskilling in the 4th Industrial Revolution for Records, Archives and Information Practitioners”.

NUST lecturer Dr Obert Wutete says there is a need for information practitioners to move with the times and embrace latest information communication technologies instead of relying on manual systems to keep information.

”Information is power and we need to embrace new skills. Our practitioners need to embrace new skills. With those new skills, they can actually drive the country’s Vision 2030 agenda which requires them to be robust in how they handle information because information is the national memory which will drive the vision (2030) so that we can achieve our goals as a country,” said Dr Wutete.

Dr Wutete challenged information practitioners to work in tandem with the Government’s digital transition framework that seeks to make sure all public sector records are managed in a centralised manner where there is uniformity and standardisation in the management of that information.