One year after the Jagger Fire
Explore the exhibitions held to commemorate the first year since the Jagger Fire. A collaborative initiative between the Centre for Curating the Archive and UCT Libraries.
Jagger restoration project: Belgian academics visit UCT Libraries
A delegation of Belgian academics visited UCT Libraries with a focus on the Jagger restoration project.
The 1968 "Mafeje Affair" sit-in, 50 years on
Archie Mafeje was offered a post as anthropology lecturer at UCT. The offer was then rescinded as a result of government pressure. 1968 was a year marked by student protests across the globe. The "Mafeje Affair" was the spark that ignited s
Jagger Recovery
Special Collections remains in recovery to rebuild and restore its world-renowned collections after the Jagger Library fire in 2021. Follow our recovery progress.
Reflections on the third anniversary of the Jagger Fire
Our Libraries ED reflects on the three years since the Jagger Fire.
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.
Shining a light on archival sources at UCT Special Collections
The 14th of August marks the anniversary of the 1968 UCT sit-in over the Mafeje Affair. To mark this occasion, archivist Clive Kirkwood has written a blog post showcasing the wide range of primary sources used in Emeritus Professor Howard
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.
Reflections on the second anniversary of the Jagger Fire
Our Libraries ED reflects on the two years since the Jagger Fire, marked by the launch of "The Book from the Ashes", and the unwavering recovery efforts of the Special Collections team.
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.