South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science

Stewardship of documentary heritage in Lesotho

Buhle Mbambo-Thata, Jeanet Molopyane — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Preserving and indigenising chieftainship cultural heritage in Lesotho

Matseliso Moshoeshoe-Chadzingwa — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 17:48:37 +0000

This study explored aims and progress of preserving and indigenising chieftainship and the monarch’s cultural heritage, the case of Royal Archives, Museum and Information Centre (RAM) in Lesotho. Evolving in 2006 from the repatriated collection of King Moshoeshoe II, RAM developed into a broad-based facility aimed at indigenising the monarch’s cultural heritage. Key terms are conceptualised. The study’s areas of indigenising covered RAM’s hybridity as a library, archives and museums (LAMs); benchmarking and reciprocity with partners; emphasis of grey literature among LAMs diverse items; rooting the multi-faceted RAM, also as LAMs without walls, within the community of traditional royal village; blending imported methodologies, digitisation and ICTs with indigenous set-up; marketing chieftainship; and a competent home-grown management. Progress is discernible through, inter alia, RAM’s visibility locally and globally, increasing patronisation, and resistance to colonial dominance. A case study approach and quantitative desk data methodology were applied, using literature and the researcher’s observations and views of relevant contacts. It was concluded that, despite stated challenges, progress is significant in indigenising RAM’s chieftainship cultural heritage. Recommendations are advanced, as relevant in 2024 when Lesotho marked the bicentenary of nationhood, a legacy owed particularly to chieftainship that defines the Basotho culture.

Safeguarding Basotho heritage

Wole Michael Olatokun — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 18:09:09 +0000

This paper investigates how the Lesotho National Library Services (LNLS) safeguards Basotho cultural heritage through the Lesotho Collection and the challenges it faces in sustaining effective digital preservation. Drawing on qualitative data from interviews, document analysis, and archival review, the study reveals gaps in legal frameworks, staffing capacity, technological infrastructure, and funding that collectively constrain preservation efforts. Interview evidence highlights the critical roles played by both internal staff and external partners in shaping the future of the collection. The paper argues that strengthening digital preservation requires a coordinated approach involving legal reform, targeted staff development, improved infrastructure, and strategic collaboration. These measures are essential for ensuring that the Lesotho Collection remains accessible, resilient, and relevant for future generations in an evolving digital environment.

Preserving the past, present and future

Ts’epo Joseph Rafoneke — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 18:15:16 +0000

Audio-visual recordings generated by public broadcasters contribute to a nation's collection of cultural heritage materials. Broadcasters have a responsibility to ensure that these recordings are preserved for future use to ensure that a nation's historical and cultural assets are preserved. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preservation activities maintained at the Lesotho National Broadcasting Services (LNBS) of audio-visual recordings. Head archivists and librarians, technicians, archivists and librarians, news editors, and producers made up the study’s population of 10 participants. Data were gathered from respondents using interviews and observations. The findings of the study showed that poor funding for Lesotho-based organisations, poor housing and environmental conditions, and a lack of knowledge about preventive preservation techniques are all factors that contribute to the poor preservation strategies in Lesotho. To support the preservation of audio-visual resources by LNBS and other entities, the study proposes a framework for preservation procedures and guidelines that will serve as an industry-standard for the preservation of audio-visual collections in the public sector.

Cloud computing as a disaster management tool for documentary heritage management

Tahleho Tseole, Olefhile Mosweu — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Archives exist to collect and manage the memory of nations, including documentary heritage management. The transformation of the archives from the physical to digital format is even more imperative in the digital age. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the usage of cloud computing as a disaster management tool for documentary heritage management from the perspective of the National University of Lesotho’s Library (NUL) digitisation project. This single qualitative case study used interviews as a technique for data collection. Data was collected from the NUL digitisation project team consisting of seven purposively selected staff members. The analysis of data was done manually and thematically in accordance with the research objectives. The findings of the study revealed that the NUL understands what disaster management entails, although there are no proper mechanisms in place for guiding the management of disasters. Furthermore, the results showed that, currently, there is no policy framework guiding the management of disasters at the institutional level. Additionally, the findings showed that cloud computing may indeed be used as a disaster management tool because of its associated benefits. The study makes a meaningful and original contribution to the body of knowledge by recommending a framework for the adoption of cloud computing as a disaster management tool for documentary heritage management in libraries.

Preservation management framework in library and archival institutions

Thatayaone Segaetsho — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 17:30:54 +0000

On a daily basis, organisations, both government and non-government, produce a lot of goods, provide services and create records as evidence of their business transactions. It is therefore critical to acquire, preserve, and disseminate the various artefacts, goods, and information resources as evidence of the world’s social, intellectual, artistic, and spiritual achievements. Failure to protect these resources could lead to the world’s loss of assets, history, legacy, education, and misinformed planning. Preservation, therefore, ensures that there is continued access to goods, services, and information resources for the long term. However, the preservation management process is still new in most developing libraries and archival institutions and is challenged by various predicaments with various flavours from one continent to the other. The key challenge is the lack of conceptual management frameworks that can be used for preservation in small developing libraries and archival institutions. The purpose of this study was to develop a management framework that can be used for sustainable preservation management, especially in less-resourced library and archival institutions. The paper presents a literature review, professional hands-on experience, and evaluation of views and opinions on management, frameworks, and sustainable preservation.

Preserving language through digital neologisms

Beatrice Ekanjume, Maboleba Kolobe, Thuso Leoisa — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 18:29:06 +0000

This paper examines the role of neologisms in preserving linguistic knowledge, focusing on how digital platforms, particularly social media, contribute to the creation, dissemination, and preservation of these terms in the digital age. By analysing trending neologisms and the word processes by which they are formed, this study highlights the potential of digital media to safeguard language and facilitate its future retrieval. The creation of neologisms has become a crucial aspect of modern language development, reflecting the changing needs of communication in the digital age. While the phenomenon of neologism formation is not new to English, the advent of the internet and digital devices has accelerated the process, fostering an environment where new terms are coined rapidly to address the lack of linguistic knowledge for emerging technologies, cultural shifts, and societal changes. Data were collected from the web to explore both established and context-specific neologisms, providing insights into their usage across different digital environments. The onomasiological theory of word formation serves as the theoretical framework for understanding how these new words are created and evolve in the digital age. The findings suggest that social media platforms, such as Facebook, play a significant role in not only preserving but also enabling the retrieval of linguistic knowledge, thereby contributing to the digital preservation of language for future generations.

Language and translation as tools for the archiving and preservation of Indigenous knowledge

Mosisili Sebotsa — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 18:34:38 +0000

Translation, along with interpreting and prostitution, is said to be one of the oldest professions in the world. While language was used as a tool for knowledge acquisition, translation, on the other hand, was used to facilitate trade and knowledge sharing among nations. In sub-Saharan Africa, there is little historico-cultural documentation in African languages, as early documentation was done by the missionaries and the first European settlers in European languages – English, French, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish. In Lesotho, a plethora of historico-cultural writings were done by missionaries, most of which have not been translated into Sesotho for ease of access by the common man, who may not be proficient in English and French, but are able to read and write in Sesotho. The present paper discusses problems related to language and the insufficiency of Sesotho records, archives and special collections, as many of the early records remain untranslated in the archives. It advocates for translation as a tool for documentation and archiving of indigenous knowledge and its transmission to future generations. The paper further argues for language as one of the primary tools through which socio-cultural information can be archived.

A case for black sartorial history

Khaya Mchunu, Maneo Ralebitso, Kiara Gounder — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 18:41:30 +0000

In this article, we investigate black sartoriality through oral history, archives, museums, and libraries by focusing on Martin Molefe, the South African black fashion designer. We do so by recovering the unknown, under-celebrated, and under-represented story of Molefe, who, for the most part, has been excluded from the history of fashion design at global, continental, and regional levels. This qualitative study adopted a multi-method research approach using archival research and in-depth oral interviews as methods of recuperating Molefe’s pivotal role in the history of black sartoriality on the African continent, as seen during the Lesotho Royal Wedding in 1962. The archives were sourced from both Lesotho and South Africa, and in-depth interviews were conducted with three elderly women from Matsieng and Tebang, who participated in the wedding. The results indicated that little is known about Molefe’s work, both in the archives and from the elderly women’s recollections. The archives from Lesotho were silent on Molefe, and the South African archives scantily mentioned his work, apart from a few newspaper clippings. This article concludes that a combination of orality, archives, libraries, and museums is instrumental in preserving the histories of those who have largely disappeared into obscurity, like Molefe.

Generating knowledge for archives, libraries and museums

Neo Lekgotla laga Ramoupi, Maneo Ralebitso — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 18:47:43 +0000

This article focuses on our empirical two-days Pre-Conference Training on Oral History at the National University of Lesotho (NUL) Library. It offers conversation on the significance of oral history research methodology in the generation of knowledge found in archives, libraries, and museums in 21st-century Africa. The rationale for our paper is based on our notes after the training to demonstrate that when oral history is “reduced” into writing, its methodology and methods contribute to the generation of knowledge documented, stored, preserved, presented, and accessed by the users in archives, libraries, and museums. Our article uses selected oral history case studies from the authors’ previous work with oral history methodologies, both in their workplaces in Lesotho and South Africa, and for their MA and PhD dissertations in the interrelated disciplines of history and heritage that they conducted in these countries. The authors share their practical experiences working on oral history research, and their findings are that the oral history research methodology and methods are significant in generating knowledge for the archives, libraries, and museums as institutions charged with storing, documenting, preserving and disseminating knowledge production; and granting access to the users.

Orality as a mechanism of preserving SeMoshoeshoe Basotho History

Keneuoe Anacletta Motšoene — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 17:25:36 +0000

This paper examines the preservation of SeMoshoeshoe, which encompasses the legacy, traditions, beliefs, and practices of Morena Moshoeshoe I, founder of the Basotho nation. It highlights the importance of preserving these oral traditions to ensure cultural continuity and transmit knowledge to future generations. This study relied on qualitative explorative research where desk research was conducted to find information to ascertain whether SeMoshoeshoe oral traditions are of value to future generations. The study found that the SeMoshoeshoe oral histories provide vital insights into Basotho traditions, historical events, societal norms, and cultural practices, thereby fostering a strong sense of identity among the Basotho people. The study also found that oral traditions serve as dynamic and adaptable mediums for conveying Basotho heritage and that Moshoeshoe I's legacy continues to inspire peace and unity within the nation. The main conclusion was that the preservation of the SeMoshoeshoe oral traditions is essential for upholding Basotho cultural heritage, empowering future generations with knowledge of their history and identity, and honouring the enduring contributions of Morena Moshoeshoe I. The paper recommends prioritising targeted efforts such as comprehensive documentation projects, integrating SeMoshoeshoe history into educational curricula, fostering community participation in oral history preservation, and leveraging technology to archive and disseminate these cultural narratives broadly to ensure continued relevance and accessibility. This approach will enable Lesotho to maintain a robust cultural legacy, enhance social cohesion, and inspire innovation rooted in traditional Basotho values and history, thereby enriching the nation's cultural fabric and legacy for generations to come.