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 The offer was then rescinded as a result of government pressure. 1968 was a year marked by student protests across the globe.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  // 20 Mar 2020

New edition: Guide to the Manuscripts in the UCT Libraries

An updated edition of the Guide to the Manuscripts in the UCT Libraries has been published and is accessible on the Special Collections website. The Guide provides a synoptic collection-level overview of the manuscript and archival holdings
page  // 19 Jun 2023

Press Clippings Collection

Special Collections include scrapbooks and folders of press clippings on southern African topics compiled and donated by individual researchers and journalists as well as civil society organisations.
page  // 19 Jun 2023

Press Clippings Bulletins

Special Collections holds runs of important press clippings bulletins on specific areas or themes, including AF Press Clips, Facts and Reports, and South African Press Clips.
page  // 19 Jun 2023

Primary Collections

Our primary collections consist of archival holdings such as manuscripts, audiovisual archives, photographs and the UCT Historical Pamphlets and Photographs Collection.
page  // 19 Jun 2023

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.
page  // 19 Jun 2023

Manuscripts

Our archival holdings consist of original research material and personal papers on the political, social, cultural and economic history of Southern Africa, with a strong focus on the Western Cape.