Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- March–April 1980 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 newsletter (multi-page, printed text)
Context area
Name of creator
Repository
Archival history
Filed in the IDAF Focus bulletin series chronicling the legal and political resistance history of apartheid-era Southern Africa.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
South African History Archive (SAHA)
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This issue covers intensifying repression in Namibia, including the introduction of tighter security measures in Ovamboland and Kaokoland, SWAPO detentions, torture reports, amnesty rejections, and detailed accounts of atrocities. A centerpiece is the testimony of Lucia Hamutenya, former SWAPO Legal Secretary, who recounts her arrest, torture, and hallucinations in detention. The issue also addresses continued political trials in South Africa, Pretoria prison conditions for political detainees, calls to free Mandela, a list of over 500 political prisoners, execution statistics, and the deportation of missionaries and conscientious objectors. Developments in the 'homeland' policy in Namibia and the impact on representative authorities are also critically analyzed.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Retained permanently for historical research on Southern African political repression and human rights violations.
Accruals
No further accruals expected.
System of arrangement
Chronologically ordered as part of IDAF's 'Focus' publication series.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open to public, academic, and legal researchers.
Conditions governing reproduction
Reproduction allowed with proper citation of IDAF as source.
Language of material
English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
OCR version of printed bulletin; fully legible.
Finding aids
Uploaded finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Originals held by the South African History Archives.
Existence and location of copies
Digital copy available through the PWP projects and other Archives.
Related units of description
Issues 1–26; Namibia 'homeland' legislation, AG26 detention files, testimonies by SWAPO activists.
Publication note
Focus', Issue No. 27. International Defence and Aid Fund, March–April 1980.
Notes area
Note
Key issue featuring firsthand torture testimony, detailed structural repression strategies, and implications of the apartheid state’s evolving control mechanisms.
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Lucia Hamutenya (Subject)
- Stephen Lee (Subject)
- Tim Jenkin (Subject)
- Alex Moumbaris (Subject)
- James Mange (Subject)
- Priscilla Jana (Subject)
- Denis Goldberg (Subject)
- Nelson Mandela (Subject)
- Sylvia Koleka Foley (Subject)
- Happy Joyce Mashamba (Subject)
- Nto Mitta Maphike (Subject)
- Dorothy Nyembe (Subject)
- Axel Johannes (Subject)
- Thomas Ihuhua (Subject)
- Philip Tjerije (Subject)
- Filemon Itula (Subject)
- Christoph Aukongo (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description, Second Edition
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
Comprehensive documentation of expanding state violence in Namibia and South Africa, based on direct testimony, field investigation, and legal records.