The Role of Public Libraries in the Republic of South Africa in Safeguarding and Promotion of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

The article discusses the “Ulwazi” (“Knowledge”) Program, which became the first library project in South Africa, aimed at collecting and documenting of the intangible cultural heritage and being realized thanks to the coordinating activities of the Central library of the municipality of eThekwini (Durban) and the active participation of indigenous communities. The author reveals the concept of the project; among its core objectives are the creation of a collaborative online database on the traditional Zulu culture (in both English and Zulu) as part of the information and digital resources of the public libraries of the district, and the growth of digital literacy skills of the local population. The article describes the library network of eThekwini, the main activities of public libraries in the framework of the project implementation, and the difficulties they had to face, as well as the structure of the “Ulwazi” web site, developed on the basis of Web 2.0 technology that allows to involve a large number of users in the creation and distribution of content. Special attention is paid to the social importance of the project contributing to the preservation and promotion of traditional Zulu culture, bridging the digital divide and building a tolerant society.

Intangible Cultural Heritage, Traditional Culture, Republic of South Africa, Durban, Municipal Libraries, Digital Illiteracy, Online Database, Digital Library of Traditional Knowledge, Wiki-Project

1. Republic of South Africa: Indigenous Knowledge Systems Policy. Available at: http://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/tk/en/wipo_grtkf_ic_9/wipo_grtkf_ic_9_11.pdf (accessed 15.10.2016).

2. McNulty N. Ulwazi Program: a Model for Public Participation through Digital Technology & Cross-Cultural Exchange . Available at: http://publicdiplomacymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/MPD-Mag-Winter-2016-Official-.pdf (accessed 22.09.2016).

3. Greyling E., Zulu S. Content Development in an Indigenous Digital Library: A Case Study in Community Participation. Available at: http://www.ifla.org/files/assets/hq/publications/ifla-journal/ifla-journal-36-1_2010.pdf (accessed 09.09.2016).

4. Liebetrau P. Preserving our Heritage. An Independent Advantage. Available at: http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/CI/CI/pdf/mow/VC_Liebetrau_27_B_1430.pdf (accessed 10.09.2016).

5. Ulwazi: About. Available at: http://ulwaziprogramme.org/about (accessed 14.08.2016).

6. Where We’ve Come From, Where We’re Going To. Available at: http://www.ulwaziprogramme.org/2016/06/where-weve-come-from-where-weregoing-to/ (accessed 09.09.2016).

7. Statistics South Africa. Ethekwiny Municipality. Available at: http://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1021&id=ethekwini-municipality (accessed 10.10.2016).

8. Durban.A Return to Paradise and its People. Available at: http://www.durban.gov.za/Discover_Durban/Documents/Durban%20Book%2020111.pdf (accessed 08.09.2016).

9. eThekwini Boosts Financial Support for KZN’s Arts Scene (16.03.2016). Available at: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/ethekwini-boostsfinancial-support-for-kzns-arts-scene-20160315 (accessed 13.10.2016).

10. eThekwini Municipality Invests Millions in Construction of Library (20 august 2014). Available at: http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/85760a80452a8023bf6cbfa5ad025b24/EThekwinimunicipality-invests-miillions-in-construction-of-library-20140820 (accessed 13.10.2016).

11. The State of Libraries in South Africa (August 2015). Available at: http://www.liasa-new.org.za/wpcontent/uploads/2015/09/State-of-SA-libraries-2015.pdf (accessed 08.08.2016).

12. South Africa History Online. Available at: http://www.sahistory.org.za/market-square (accessed 10.10.2016).

13. Libraries. “Entice, Excite, Educate and Embrace”. Available at: http://www.durban.gov.za/City_Services/ParksRecreation/libraries/Pages/default.aspx (accessed 20.09.2016).

14. Internet Access Policy and Emai l Code of Practice. Available at: http://www.durban.gov.za/City_Services/ParksRecreation/libraries/Policies_Tariffs/Pages/Internet-Access-Policy-and-emailCode-of-Practice.aspx (accessed 20.09.2016).

15. Ulwazi: Bigger than Wikipedia! Available at: http://www.ulwaziprogramme.org/2016/08/ulwazi-biggerthan-wikipedia/ (accessed 10.09.2016).

16. Greyling E., McNulty N. How to Build an Indigenous Digital Library through Community Participation: the Case of Ulwazi Programme. Available at: http://www.mcnulty.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/SCECSAL_2012_GreylingMcNulty_APA-libre.pdf (accessed 14.08.2016).