The Future of Records Management as a Profession at the Road Accident Fund in South Africa

Vanessa Neo Mathope

doi:10.25159/2663-659X/20946

Authors

Vanessa Neo Mathope University of South Africa - Lecturer https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0441-6604

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-659X/20946

Keywords:

Road Accident Fund, South Africa, records management, training, profession

Abstract

The future of records management as a profession in government organisations is closely linked to the experience, training and qualifications of records management personnel – or the lack thereof. This study aimed to investigate the future of records management as a profession at the Road Accident Fund (RAF) in South Africa. A mixed-method research approach was employed, using a convergent design. The data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. The target population included the Acting Senior Manager for Support Services, the Manager for Correspondence and Documents Management Services, as well as senior administrative officers, administrative officers, junior administrative officers and administrative assistants. The data were analysed both statistically (using MS Excel) and thematically (using MS Word), with findings presented through tables, graphs, figures and verbatim quotations. The study revealed that records management at the RAF is not regarded as a recognised profession. Consequently, many employees in the Correspondence and Documents Management Services business unit lack formal training, qualifications and experience in records management. Based on these findings, the study recommends targeted training initiatives for these employees to professionalise records management in the organisation.

Author Biography

Vanessa Neo Mathope, University of South Africa - Lecturer

Vanessa Neo Mathope is an author and a Doctor of Information Science candidate with the University of South Africa. She holds a Master of Information Science, Bachelor of Information Science Honours, Bachelor of Information Science and a Higher Certificate in Archives and Records Management, all from UNISA. She has worked for the Road Accident Fund (RAF) since April 2011 to date. She is passionate about records management, in particular the registry (mailroom processes), and has extensive experience in all registry functions (receipt, sorting, dispatch of mail). Since 2012, she held various positions within the registry, which have widened her understanding of the registry and its value in the organisation's ability or inability to provide timely services to the public through academic research. Her current study is titled “Adoption of artificial intelligence to manage records in support of the claims management system at the Road Accident Fund in South Africa.

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