Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- July–August 1983 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 newsletter (multi-page, printed text)
Context area
Name of creator
Repository
Archival history
Part of IDAF’s primary source collection on apartheid resistance and repression.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
South African History Archive (SAHA)
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This issue documents the worsening prison conditions for Nelson Mandela and fellow political prisoners at Pollsmoor Prison, state-sanctioned forced removals and the killing of community leader Saul Mkhize, child malnutrition and mortality in resettlement camps, mass detentions and psychiatric abuse of detainees, repression in the Ciskei bantustan, and the execution of ANC guerrillas. It provides updates on extensive political trials including Oscar Mpetha, Cedric Mayson, Siphiwe Makhathini, and Angula Mwaala (SWAPO). The issue contains a special review of state witnesses, torture allegations, and continuing evidence of apartheid legal manipulation and brutality.
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
Chronological, within the IDAF Focus series.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open for public 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-scanned PDF; readable and complete.
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 1–46, Trial records of Mpetha, Mwaala, Mayson, Mandela prison conditions documentation, SWAPO court records.
Publication note
Focus', Issue No. 47. International Defence and Aid Fund, July–August 1983.
Notes area
Note
Includes comprehensive coverage of forced removals, state torture, major trials, and review of manipulation of state witnesses by security forces.
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
- Nelson Mandela campaign
- Pollsmoor Prison
- Forced removals
- Saul Mkhize
- Resettlement camps
- Child malnutrition
- Psychiatric detention
- SWAPO
- ANC
- Political trials
- Oscar Mpetha
- Armed struggle
- Torture
- Ciskei repression
- Internal Security Act
- Bans
- Pass laws
- Death penalty
- Hunger strikes
- State witness manipulation
- Detentions
- Political funerals
Place access points
Name access points
- Nelson Mandela (Subject)
- Walter Sisulu (Subject)
- Ahmed Kathrada (Subject)
- Winnie Mandela (Subject)
- Saul Mkhize (Subject)
- Mary Benson (Subject)
- Modika Tsatsa (Subject)
- Dlaki Vani (Subject)
- Linda Ngodeka (Subject)
- Thandi Madikane (Subject)
- Oscar Mpetha (Subject)
- Cedric Mayson (Subject)
- Rejoice Makwele (Subject)
- Lazarus Mmoleli (Subject)
- Joe Thloloe (Subject)
- Charles Sebe (Subject)
- Angula Mwaala (Subject)
- Khaya Skweyiya (Subject)
- Nomakephu Ntsatha (Subject)
- Mncekeleli Peter (Subject)
- Thozamile Gqweta (Subject)
- Sisa Njikelana (Subject)
- Jerome Maake (Subject)
- Peter Mokaba (Subject)
- Portia Nhlapo (Subject)
- Malisela Moloise (Subject)
- Headley King (Subject)
- Joseph Charles (Subject)
- Rufus Radebe (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
A key issue highlighting the continued brutality of the apartheid regime through executions, detentions, political trials, and forced removals. Strong evidentiary value regarding prison conditions and witness manipulation.