NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF ZIMBABWE BID TO

HOST ICA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013

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NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF ZIMBABWE BID TO HOST ICA ANNUAL

CONFERENCE 2013

1. Zimbabwe is keen to host the ICA Annual Conference 2013 so as to:

Create a better understanding of the country and region as a budding zone for records and ar-

chives management.

To boost ICA membership at International and Regional levels

Promote the participation in ICA affairs by the growing regional constituency of Archival Edu-

cators.

2. Geography and Timing

A Victoria Falls ICA Annual conference2013 would follow on the pioneering footsteps of

Nairobi (1976) and Cape Town (2003). An October2011 affirmation of this dream will be for

National Archives of Zimbabwe, established in 1935, a well deserved belated 75th birthday

present.

When Southern Africa hosted CITRA in 2003 ESARBICA, through its Ministers Forum,

adopted the African Agenda on Archives. The statement became the basis for engagement be-

tween Africa and the World on Archival matters. Following on that tradition ESARBICA and

Zimbabwe will ensure that ICA Annual Conference 2013 unites Africa at policy level in the

area of Electronic Records Management.

An ICA Annual Conference2013 in Victoria Falls would be a direct benefit to the local com-

munity of 40,000 people. The Victoria Falls area is dominated by minority groups, Tonga and

Nambya, whose thriving arts and crafts industry is entirely dependent on tourist trade.

Victoria Falls has one of the best safety records of any major tourist destination in the world. It

is warm and friendly and easily accessible. The ideal time to be visiting Victoria Falls runs

from March to August with the peak flow occurring between April and July It’s the start of our

winter in the southern tropics when day temperatures range from 23 oC to 28 oC and minimum

from 7 oC to 10 oC .You can expect 10 winter sunshine hours per day! We propose August for

full enjoyment or November for serious deliberations. In October Zimbabwe expects to host

the World Tourism Organisation Conference

The people of the Zambezi valley

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3. NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF ZIMBABWE

National Archives of Zimbabwe has solid physical infrastructure and a sound professional or-

ganizational structure for effective records and archives management. Its staff compliment of

115 includes 25 Archivists. Over the years Zimbabwe’s Archivists and Records managers have

contributed their expertise to National Archives and Training Schools in the Region. Two of

Zimbabwe’s Universities offer training in Records and Archives Management. With the coun-

try now firmly on a recovery path, an ICA Annual Conference2013 in Zimbabwe will leave

behind a legacy for accelerated growth in records and archives management. The ICA Annual

Conference 2013 Local Organizing Committee intends to establish a ICA Legacy Fund to sup-

port human resource development in records, archives and information management in Zim-

babwe.

An ICA Annual Conference 2013 in Victoria Falls will give a life time opportunity to Zim-

babwe’s growing records and archives a management constituency to interact with their global

counterparts. RAIMAZ, the local association of records and archives professionals, have en-

dorsed this bid. (Annexure 1)

Preserving for posterity: National archives repositories

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National Archives of Zimbabwe has in the last decade hosted ESARBICA conferences and

meetings showing the confidence our neighbors have in our capacity.

Safeguarding Southern and Eastern Africa Sound and Image Collections: ESARBICA/National

Archives-Audiovisual Archiving Training Workshop (Harare: 1-12 August 2011)

4. ESARBICA

ESARBICA is firmly behind Zimbabwe’s ICA Annual Conference 2013 bid. A letter of support

from ESARBICA is enclosed. (Annexure2) When South Africa hosted CITRA in 2003 ESAR-

BICA, through its Ministers Forum, adopted the African Agenda on Archives. The statement be-

came the basis for engagement between Africa and the World on archival matters. Following on

that tradition ESARBICA and Zimbabwe will ensure that CITRA 2013 unites Africa at policy

level in the area of Electronic Records Management.

5. Benefits for ICA

Zimbabwe’s peace and tranquility coupled with good road links with its neighbours (South Africa,

Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Mozambique) and relatively cheap cost of living will ensure the

most affordable ICA Conference for Records and Archives professionals in the SADC (Southern

Africa Development Community). We are optimistic that a ICA Annual Conference2013 in Victo-

ria Falls, Zimbabwe, will produce record attendances and several fold increases in ICA and ESAR-

BICA membership from the region. The ESARBICA General Conference in Maputo, Mozam-

bique, in 2011 attracted over 300 participants including a record 70 participants from Namibia!

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6. Commitment by the Government of Zimbabwe

The Government of Zimbabwe is fully committed to the hosting of the ICA Annual Conference

2013. In that regard, the event shall be accorded State Approved Occasion status. That will enable

Treasury support in the 2012 – 13 budgets to ensure that National Archives is able to meet all the

local transport needs for the Conference, lunches and teas, French – English translation and part of

the social programme. A letter from Zimbabwe’s Co-Ministers for Home Affairs expressing gov-

ernments’ support and guarantee is enclosed. (Annexure 3)

Government on Archives for sustainable development: National Archives exhibiting at the Zimbabwe International

Trade Fair 2010 through a government facility

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7. Political and Social Situation

Zimbabwe is renowned for its peace and tranquility as evidenced by its low crime statistics. The

tourism slump of the last decade had all to do with the negative political perceptions and these

have been rapidly mending since the formation of an Inclusive Government in February 2009.

The pride of African hospitality: Our wonderful people and culture

Visitors from all Nations are welcome subject to applicable Visa requirements. For the ICA

Annual Conference2013, special arrangements will be put in place to ensure smooth entry and exit

into the country for delegates. There shall be swift processing of visas based on the approved

delegates list which we shall circulate at our Embassies abroad. Delegates from countries where

there are no Zimbabwean Embassies shall be able to apply through us for visas at port of entry.

Indeed the Head of our Immigration Services attended CITRA 2010 in Oslo specifically to get a

feel of the gathering and reassure delegates of a trouble free entry to Zimbabwe.

8. HOST CITY

An ICA Annual Conference2013 in Victoria Falls will provide delegates with an opportunity to

sample Southern Africa’s premier tourist destination. The proposed host city is home to one of the

Seven Wonders of the World, the majestic Victoria Falls. It is serviced by a Regional Airport and

road links to neighboring countries. There are daily flights Johannesburg - Victoria Falls and Liv-

ingstone operated by South African Airways, BA Commair and Onetime Airlines. Air Zimbabwe

services Harare-London, Harare-Victoria Falls and Harare Joburg among its routes.

The Majestic Victoria Falls, located in the resort town of Victoria Falls north west of Zimbabwe,

are one of the seven wonders of the world, the only natural wonder and one of the two world won-

ders found in Africa. The Victoria Falls are also one of the country’s five UNESCO World Heri-

tage sites. The falls consist of five different falls, four on the Zimbabwean side and one on the

Zambian side. Also known as Mosi oa Tunya (smoke that thunders) by locals it waters the rain

forest 365 days of the year The Falls are 1,7 km wide and nearly 550 million litres of water per

minute cascade 70 – 108m into the gorge during the peak river flow. The city offers a wide range

of accommodation – around 2,500 beds

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The Falls are on the Zambezi river, one of the great rivers of Africa hosts the Majestic Victoria

Falls, Lake Kariba and the Mana Pools. Lake Kariba, one of the largest man made lakes in the

World stretching 280km long and 40km at its widest point. Kariba is famous for the angry “River

God”, Nyaminyami, believed to have been separated from his partner by the construction of the

dam wall.

9. VENUE

The exotic five star Elephant Hills Casino, Golf and Conference Centre is the ideal venue for ICA

2013 Annual Conference. It boasts of a conference hall that can accommodate 500 delegates in

plenary sessions and 800 delegates in workshops. Outside conferencing capacity accommodates

2000people. The venue, with international reputation as a conferencing venue, also includes;

Nyaminyami “The river god”

Walk in the foot steps of Dr David Livingstone, the first bona fide tourist to the mighty Falls On 16

November 1855 Dr Livingstone described in his journal the falls as ‘‘…Scenes so lovely must have

been gazed on by angels in their flight

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263 luxury rooms

11 Executive suites

1 Presidential suite

Complimentary tea or coffee making services

24hrs room service

Evening turn down services

Welcome refreshments upon arrival

Elephant hills hotel

Elephant Hills Conference rooms

The Kingdom Hotel Ilala Lodge

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10. ORGANISATION AND RESOURCES

National Archives of Zimbabwe, fully supported by Government and Corporate partners, under-

take to provide the following;

Intellectually and culturally stimulating ICA Conference.

Free Secretarial services

Luxury air-conditioned coaches and mini-buses are guaranteed throughout the ICA Annual

Conference for all transfers

Discounted coach shuttle services between official hotels will be available throughout the

Symposium

A fleet of luxury chauffeur-driven Mercedes Benz S Class & E Class vehicles will be provided

on a complimentary basis for exclusive use at the discretion of the ICA VVIPs

Free lunches and teas on all conference days

Free access to Emergency Services

An evening under the African skies hosted by the Minister of Home Affairs.

Zambezi River cruise hosted by Director National archives

Exciting excursion before, during and after the conference.

Exciting range of interactive Entertainment

Zimbabwe is committed to offering complimentary full-board accommodation and local trans-

portation to an ICA planning/inspection team.

National Archives of Zimbabwe undertakes to meet all the stated conference criteria. Annex-

ure 4: costing of core conference facilities

11. COUNTRY PROFILE

Zimbabwe is one of the most sought after destinations in Southern Africa.

It is famous for its tourist attractions, Victoria Falls, Great Zimbabwe, National Parks and Wild-

life, pleasant climate and its warm and friendly people. Take note of the following;

A country rich in history and culture, passionate about the past and only country in the world

to be named after an archaeological site.

Zimbabwe is the ideal destination for the ICA Annual Conference 2013

Situated on a high plateau in southern Africa

Covers 390 245km2 / 150 000 miles2

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English is the official language while Shona and Ndebele are the major indigenous languages

Zimbabweans are known for their hospitality and friendliness

Zimbabwe is a multi-racial society where people of all nationalities and religions leave in

harmony

Zimbabwe has a total of five UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

Great Zimbabwe National Monument

Victoria Falls

Mana Pools

Khami Ruins

Matobo National Park Landscape

and one UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage element on the Representative List- the Jeru-

sarema Mbende Dance

The Mythical Lake Kariba&

The Mighty Zambezi

Great Zimbabwe

Eastern Highlands

Kariba Dam Wall

Zambezi River

ZIMBABWE A WORLD OF WONDERSZIMBABWE A WORLD OF WONDERS

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ANNEXURE 1 RAIMAZ ENDORSEMENT

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ANNEXURE 2: ESARBICA ENDORSEMENT

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ANNEXURE 3 GOVERNMENT ENDORSEMENT

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ANNEXURE 4: COSTING OF CORE CONFERENCE FACILITIES

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Victoria Falls ‘‘…Scenes so lovely must have been gazed

on by angels in their flight”