Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- January–February 1981 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 newsletter (multi-page, printed text)
Context area
Name of creator
Repository
Archival history
Filed within the IDAF archive’s newsletter series on political repression and resistance movements in Southern Africa.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
South African History Archive (SAHA)
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This issue documents the death sentence imposed on Markus Kateka in Namibia, mass detentions under apartheid and occupation laws, torture and health crises in prisons, political trials involving ANC and SWAPO activists, testimonies of disappearances and cross-border raids, and systemic repression through censorship, bannings, and restrictions on civil society. Highlights include the trials of ANC guerrillas, the SWAPO activist Ida Jimmy, brutal detention of juveniles, the case of Dr. Nafta Hamata, and state-sanctioned killings and disappearances in Namibia. The issue also includes coverage of forced removals, health inequalities under apartheid rule, and testimony to international bodies including the UN and OAU about South African attacks in Angola.
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 the IDAF 'Focus' newsletter collection.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Public access allowed for research and educational use.
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-scanned version; full-text readable and formatted.
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 1–31, SWAPO and ANC trial transcripts, Kassinga raid testimonies, UN and OAU communiqués.
Publication note
Focus', Issue No. 32. International Defence and Aid Fund, January–February 1981.
Notes area
Note
Important issue documenting systemic violence in Namibia, continued detentions under apartheid laws, and international efforts to hold the regime accountable.
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Name access points
- Markus Kateka (Subject)
- Hendrik Kariseb (Subject)
- Ida Jimmy (Subject)
- A Modise (Subject)
- Rauna Nambinga (Subject)
- Nafta Hamata (Subject)
- Sam Nujoma (Subject)
- Zinjiva Nkondo (Subject)
- Thozamile Botha (Subject)
- Beyers Naude (Subject)
- David Russell (Subject)
- Priscilla Jana (Subject)
- Thandi Modise (Subject)
- James Mange (Subject)
- Joseph Mavi (Subject)
- Oscar Mpetha (Subject)
- Lucia Hamutenya (Subject)
- Fabian Ribeiro (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
Extensive and harrowing issue detailing death sentences, systemic prison abuse, apartheid medical neglect, and the global response to mounting atrocities in Namibia and South Africa.