Memory@UCT | UCT Libraries

We explore the memories of people and places and events in South Africa that mattered, and still matter, as represented in the Special Collections of UCT Libraries.

Blogs

AV Archive team Susan Mvungi and Andrea Walker at the 2022 FIAT/IFTA World Conference held in Cape Town

Crate by Crate: Making Progress Visible in AV Recovery

The AV Archive used to live in the basement of the Jagger Library and was one of the first areas to be salvaged following the fire. A decision was made to expedite the recovery of the AVA through a digitisation project.

Nigel Crawhall holds up a recorder to record an interview with Ouma Elsie Vaalbooi. Elsie Vaalbooi was a fluent Nǀuu speaker

Whose copyright is that? Perpetual copyright and indigenous languages in archives

Copyright is a limited-time monopoly. Which is a fancy way of saying that it doesn’t last forever. Eventually, it expires. Except when it doesn’t. How many things in South African archives have perpetual copyright? So very many.

Manually removing the tape with hand tools

Tape: A paper conservators’ worst nightmare

Since the invention of pressure-sensitive tapes in the 1920’s, it became an ideal solution for a variety of applications. However, conservators know its long-term effects as disfiguring, damaging, and it is very very difficult to remove.

Two film reels, one labelled Crossroads Pre-Mix. Lindy Wilson collection

Human Rights in the AV Archive

The urgency to restore the AV collections in UCT Libraries Special Collections is underscored by their critical role in documenting the history of struggle, and transition to, human rights and democracy in South Africa.

Recovered published collections in rows of bookstacks at Maitland House

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.

At least 29 crates containing VHS tapes from the African Film Collection were salvaged from the basement

Fragments of the African Film Collection Survived the Fire

Initially believed to be entirely destroyed by fire, the AV team has recovered at least 850 titles of the original African Studies Film Collection. They were kept in VHS format and have now been digitised.

Gutted entrance to the Jagger Reading Room. To the lower left of the entrance the remnants of the microfilm reader can be seen.

Recovering the Archive

From salvage to recovery. A story by our Principal Archivist, Michal Singer about the first responders and the relentless efforts to recover our manuscripts and archives.

My lockdown experience by Andrea Walker

I started out loving lockdown. Early morning meetings in bed when it's the middle of winter and pouring with rain? Wonderful. No constant interruptions from users? Fantastic! Constant interruptions from three cats and the elderly neighb

My lockdown experience by Clive Kirkwood, Archivist in Special Collections

Dealing with reference inquiries regarding archival material remained a significant part of my Special Collections work. While lack of access to physical sources poses difficulties for both staff and users, I have found it motivating in the