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1. Introduction
The title and sub-title of this paper were inspired by the scriptures from the gospel according to Matthew 3:12 and Luke 3:17, as well as a children’s counting rhyme. The preaching by John, the Baptist, in the scriptures can be used as an analogy to explain the process of disposal of records that result from appraisal. In the scriptures, we are told about Jesus (appraiser) with his winnowing fork in his hand (appraisal) clearing his threshing floor to gather the wheat (records of enduring value) into the barn (archives repository) and burning up the chaff (ephemeral records) with unquenchable fire (method of disposal). In our view, the sub-title based on a children’s counting rhyme depicts the appraisal approach that is followed by archives repositories in South Africa. The rhyme “eeny meeny miny mo” is used by children to select a player in games such as tag or hide and seek. In this selection method, the child who is pointed to by the chanter on the last syllable is either “chosen” or “counted out” In this regard, the selection is based purely on the position of the child when the counting starts. In this paper, we examine the appraisal policy guidelines of National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (NARSSA) in relation to preservation of digital records. We are of the opinion that the appraisal approach followed is similar to the selection approach in the children’s counting rhyme. Archival appraisal is the assessment of a group of records to determine what is of value for permanent preservation (wheat) and what can be destroyed (chaff). This is the process that determines what is worth remembering or forgetting (Harris, 2007a, p. 104). The term embraces the theory, rationales, policies and procedures for identifying, acquiring and selecting records in all media deemed to have lasting value and authorising destruction of those which are ephemeral (Craig, 2016, p. 17). In other words, appraisal has traditionally been guided by either what should or should not be preserved. Key themes in appraisal include impartiality, evidence and continuing memory (Craig, 2016, p. 17).
According to Kenosi (2000, p. 20), the appraisal process is not without controversy. The problem lies with the power of archivists to sanction the preservation or obliteration...