Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- May–June 1981 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 newsletter (multi-page, printed text)
Context area
Name of creator
Repository
Archival history
Filed within IDAF’s archival holdings on state repression and resistance movements in apartheid-era Southern Africa.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
South African History Archive (SAHA)
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This issue highlights intensified South African military operations in northern Namibia and southern Angola, including troop build-ups, air and land attacks, and damage to Angolan infrastructure. It covers the formation of the South West Africa Police (SWAP), the continued detention and reported torture of Kassinga detainees, and testimony from Ida Jimmy, a SWAPO political prisoner. The issue also details major political trials in South Africa, including those of Oscar Mpetha, Guy Berger, Devandiren Pillay, and various students and unionists. There are detailed accounts of new bannings, forced removals under the Group Areas Act, school repression, press censorship, and a complete list of detentions and releases under apartheid security laws.
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 arranged within the IDAF Focus newsletter series.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Unrestricted public and research access.
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 scan of printed newsletter; 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 1–33, Kassinga raid reports, SWAPO trial records, AG26 detentions, South African student protest documentation.
Publication note
Focus', Issue No. 34. International Defence and Aid Fund, May–June 1981.
Notes area
Note
A critical issue detailing regional military escalation, civilian displacement, torture testimonies, systemic legal repression, and community resistance efforts.
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Ida Jimmy (Subject)
- Markus Kateka (Subject)
- Herman Toivo ja Toivo (Subject)
- Gertrude Kandanga (Subject)
- Jason Angula (Subject)
- Elias Namudjebo (Subject)
- Monika Munagobe (Subject)
- Oscar Mpetha (Subject)
- Guy Berger (Subject)
- Devandiren Pillay (Subject)
- Florence Mkize (Subject)
- A.S. Chetty (Subject)
- Cynthia Montwedi (Subject)
- Zubeida Jaffer (Subject)
- Ian Mgijima (Subject)
- Raphael Khumalo (Subject)
- Raymond Dludlu (Subject)
- Ntatho Motlana (Subject)
- Sam Nujoma (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
Highly detailed coverage of regional military aggression and extensive repression inside South Africa and Namibia. Key source for understanding apartheid military strategy and legal instruments.