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 The offer was then rescinded as a result of government pressure. 1968 was a year marked by student protests across the globe.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
article  // 28 Mar 2023

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.
article  // 16 Sep 2022

Exploring architectural archives in recovery

Promoting public awareness of our rich architectural legacy at the University of Cape Town. The collections include the professional papers and project plans of 20th-century Cape Town architects.
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.