Abstract
This chapter assess the level of South African university implementation of The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA) provision 27. The literature review from other countries was used as form analysis level of adoption of electronic filing. The research found that South African universities adopted information communication technologies; however, most students and academics were unfamiliar with ECTA provision 27 on filing in an electronic environment. Non-compliance with the ECTA is instrumental towards the lack of providing online teaching and learning. The researcher recommends universities to develop an ECTA implementation plan to improve filing on electronic records filing.
TopBackground
The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA) came into effect in South Africa on 30 August 2002. The purpose of this legislation is as follows:
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Recognize the importance of the information economy for the economic and social prosperity of the Republic of South Africa
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Promote the understanding and acceptance of and growth in the number of electronic transactions in the Republic of South Africa
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Promote e-government services and electronic communications and transactions with public and private bodies
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Ensure that electronic transactions in the Republic conform to the highest international standards.
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Encourage investment and innovation in respect of electronic transactions in the Republic of South Africa
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Develop a safe, secure, and effective environment for the consumer, business, and the Government to conduct and use electronic transactions
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Promote the development of electronic transactions services that are responsive to the needs of users and consumers
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Ensure that, about the provision of electronic transactions services, the special needs of communities and areas and the disabled are duly taken into account.
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Ensure compliance with accepted international standards in the provision and development of electronic communications and transactions.
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Promote the stability of electronic transactions in the Republic
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Promote the development of human resources in the electronic transactions’ environment
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Ensure efficient use and management of the za. Domain namespace and
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Ensure that the national interest of the Republic is not compromised through the use of electronic communications.
ECTA offers instruction of electronic communications and transactions; to improve on an e-strategy; to promote access to electronic communications and transactions. The Act legalizes electronic communications and transactions to build prerequisites for teaching, learning, and research in electronic records. Digital records provide authenticity and reliability as evidence of a transaction.
ECTA provision 27 mandate all public institution to adopt electronic filing system for their records and archives management. An increase in digital communication and technology in South Africa has inevitably led to an increase in the amount of digital information being created.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Authenticity: This is the process of verifying that the people or things that you. It is an electronic system that cannot see are who or what they claim to be.
Institutional Repositories: It is an archive for collecting, preserving, and disseminating digital record of the intellectual output of an institution.
Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, No. 25 of 2002: This is a legislation in South Africa enacted to provide for the facilitation and regulation of electronic communications and transactions; to provide for the e-strategy for the Republic of South Africa to provide universal access to electronic communications and transactions and use of electronic transactions.
E-Governance: It is the technology to deliver organization services electronically, transaction processes, and the transformation of e-governance service services. The university community is the central focus of service delivery. The service is delivered through a single online point of access.
Electronic Records Management System: A electronic system that contains business rules to manage records to ensure that they are authentic and reliable.