Nelson Mandela Archive

The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory has created an online portal for the exploration of archival material relating to Nelson Mandela.

It is possible to view the site as an online exhibition where the digitised exhibits are interspersed with explanatory text. Clicking the digitaised images gives access to the item within the larger collection and gives access to a detailed description to each item.

By browsing the archive you can also watch videos and read digitised versions of primary sources, which include diaries, letters and drafts of speeches.

The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory delivers the core-work of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1999 to support its Founder’s ongoing engagement in worthy causes on his retirement as President of South Africa. The Foundation is registered as a trust, with its board of trustees comprising prominent South Africans selected by the Founder.The Centre of Memory was inaugurated by Nelson Mandela on 21 September 2004, and endorsed as the core work of the Foundation in 2006. The Centre focuses on three areas of work: the Life and Time of Nelson Mandela, Dialogue for Social Justice and Nelson Mandela International Day.

Transcripts for videos are available in the the details section on the portal.

 

Rand Daily Mail access for British Library readers

From the British Library web site:

The latest addition to the electronic newspaper resources available to British Library readers is one that we’re particularly pleased to have secured, the Rand Daily Mail. Published from 1902 to 1985, the South African daily newspaper was renowned for its anti-Apartheid stance, with notable coverage of the Sharpeville massacre, the Soweto uprising and the death of Steve Biko. Closed down in controversial circumstances in 1985, the entire newspaper is being digitised and made available by research materials service Readex. Happily the British Library is making the entire archive available for remote access to anyone with a Reader’s Pass.

Read further here:

http://blogs.bl.uk/thenewsroom/2017/03/rand-daily-mail.html

Helen Zille, Premier of the Western Cape, former journalist on the Rand Daily Mail and anti-apartheid activist.

Rand Daily Mail trial access

Trial access has been arrange for the Rand Daily Mail 1902-1985

Access is available from the below URL on and off campus from now until March 29, 2017:

http://ezproxy.lib.cam.ac.uk:2048/login?url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/readex/welcome?p=HN-SARDM

Please send us your feedback on this trial – write to

ejournals@lib.cam.ac.uk    Thank you

The Rand Daily Mail, a Johannesburg daily, is a critically important title that pioneered popular journalism in South Africa. It is renowned today for being the first newspaper to openly oppose apartheid and contribute to its downfall.   From its early beginnings in 1902, the Rand Daily Mail was known for its controversial yet courageous journalism. Despite significant pressure from the conservative government, its writers openly addressed issues that white readers knew little about.

Just now the issues loaded are for the period 1940-1985.  Issues for the period 1902-1939 are in production now at Readex and the entirety of the collection will be launched by April 2017 at the latest.  For the duration of the trial therefore only the issues for 1940-1985 can be consulted.

NOW HOME IS THREE ROOMS IN A TOWN WITH NO NAME

Home for the banished Mrs Winnie Mandela is now a three-roomed house without electricity, running water, a bath or a stove.  Like the 725 identical houses in the township, near Brandfort in the Free State, the Mandela house, no. 802, is without water-borne sewerage, or a fence.  The township has no official name but local blacks call it “Phatakahle” – which means “handle with care.”

Rand Daily Mail, May 18, 1977