article  // 15 Aug 2018

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 The offer was then rescinded as a result of government pressure. 1968 was a year marked by student protests across the globe.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
page  // 19 Jun 2023

Rare and Antiquarian Books

There are many rare and valuable books in the various subject-focused sub-collections in Special Collections.
article  // 14 Aug 2020

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
page  // 19 Jun 2023

Published Collections

Our published collections include African studies books, films, maps, newspapers, government publications, rare and Antiquarian books, and pamphlets.
page  // 19 Oct 2022

Special Collections

Special Collections is the preservation library and archive of UCT Libraries, with an array of rare holdings in a range of formats.