Published Collections
Our published collections include African studies books, films, maps, newspapers, government publications, rare and Antiquarian books, and pamphlets.
Jagger Fire
Previously housed in the Jagger Building, the monograph collection consisted of approximately 73,000 volumes, including up-to-date materials as well as works on Africa and South Africa printed post 1925, and many hard-to-find volumes in a wide range of European and African languages. Losses included books in the social sciences, including anthropology, media studies, economics, development studies, political studies, gender studies, education, languages and linguistics, law, religious studies and philosophy. Fortunately, not all of the African Studies Collection was destroyed - 30 700 books that were not shelved in the Jagger Reading room were salvaged.
The pamphlet collection consists of just under 31,000 titles, with a further 800 rare or old titles, published before 1925, in the BAAP collection. The contemporary pamphlet collection was shelved in the basement of the Jagger Building and was also salvaged. This collection has been checked in on the catalogue and is now shelved in temporary premises occupied by Special Collections.
Follow our recovery
Previously housed in the Jagger Building, the monograph collection consisted of approximately 73,000 volumes, including up-to-date materials as well as works on Africa and South Africa printed post 1925, and many hard-to-find volumes in a wide range of European and African languages. Losses included books in the social sciences, including anthropology, media studies, economics, development studies, political studies, gender studies, education, languages and linguistics, law, religious studies and philosophy. Fortunately, not all of the African Studies Collection was destroyed - 30 700 books that were not shelved in the Jagger Reading room were salvaged.
The pamphlet collection consists of just under 31,000 titles, with a further 800 rare or old titles, published before 1925, in the BAAP collection. The contemporary pamphlet collection was shelved in the basement of the Jagger Building and was also salvaged. This collection has been checked in on the catalogue and is now shelved in temporary premises occupied by Special Collections.
Follow our recovery
African Studies Book Collection
Published Collections included the significant African Studies collections of published monographs and pamphlets. This collection was founded in 1953.
Maps
A wide selection of cartographic material including over 5 000 published African maps covering a range of topics, eras and officially produced atlases and hand-drawn maps.
Rare and Antiquarian Books
There are many rare and valuable books in the various subject-focused sub-collections in Special Collections.
Newspaper Archives
Newspaper holdings are rich and varied, including nearly-complete runs of the Cape Argus and the Cape Times from the 19th century, as well as many community newspapers and press clippings.
Pamphlets and Ephemera
Special Collections has a large collection of South and Southern African posters and political ephemera.
Journals and Magazines
Our holdings include current academic journals related to African studies in both print and digital formats. Collections of popular magazines with historic significance, and academic and community periodicals which are no longer published.
African Studies Film Collection
The African Film Collection comprises Africa-themed documentaries, feature films, and shorts, including television series, which have either been made in Africa or have predominantly African-related content.
Government Publications
The Government Publications Department contains the main collection of government publications in UCT Libraries. There are some government publications in other sections of the libraries, particularly the Built Environment Library.
Getting Help
- Find African Studies books via Primo.
- Consult one of our specialist African Studies Librarians.
- Enquiries can be emailed to lib-spcoll@uct.ac.za or Ask-a-Librarian.
Stories
Rescued from the Flames: Special Collections' hidden gem
The African Studies Library pamphlet collection is regarded as one of UCT Libraries' greatest treasures. After surviving the Jagger Library fire, the complete collection was recently digitised for posterity and made discoverable.
Published Collections: Our Ongoing Recovery - Nearly Two Years On
Nearly two years on, significant gains are evident during the recovery and rebuilding of our African Studies and Rare Books collections. Our goal is to enable access to users during this interim period, albeit in a small way.