Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- May–June 1984 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 newsletter (multi-page, printed text)
Context area
Name of creator
Repository
Archival history
Forms part of the primary IDAF 'Focus' series, preserved in anti-apartheid and human rights archives.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
South African History Archive (SAHA)
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This issue reports on the release of SWAPO leader Herman Toivo ja Toivo, his public reaffirmation of SWAPO's mission, and the continued detention of Kassinga survivors. It features court actions to free detainees, detailed lists of those imprisoned, and affidavits documenting torture and unlawful detention under Proclamation AG9. It covers new detentions, student protests, pass law convictions, school boycotts, the Alexandra bus boycott, forced removals, and increasing repression in Namibia and Venda. Major sections report on death in detention, political trials, abuses by security forces, and a growing list of detainees. The newsletter also documents the high-profile trial of journalist Gwen Lister and the deportation of British researcher Alun Roberts.
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 sequence in IDAF’s Focus newsletter series.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open to researchers and the public.
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, complete and machine-readable.
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 1–51, Kassinga documentation, Gwen Lister trial transcripts, Namibian prisoner records, Venda death in detention files.
Publication note
Focus', Issue No. 52. International Defence and Aid Fund, May–June 1984.
Notes area
Note
This issue documents a major transition period in the Namibian struggle, key legal challenges, and a surge in detentions and protests across South Africa and the bantustans.
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
- SWAPO
- Kassinga detainees
- Torture
- Detention without trial
- Political executions
- Namibian occupation
- ANC
- UDF
- Proclamation AG9
- Internal Security Act
- Gwen Lister trial
- Alun Roberts
- Pass laws
- School boycotts
- Bus boycotts
- Police torture
- Venda bantustan
- Mndawe inquest
- Inkatha
- State repression
- Human rights violations
- Political funerals
Place access points
Name access points
- Herman Toivo ja Toivo (Subject)
- Gwen Lister (Subject)
- Alun Roberts (Subject)
- Erick Binga (Subject)
- Elizabeth Malima (Subject)
- Simon Shilongo (Subject)
- Nikodemus Katofa (Subject)
- Bishop Kauluma (Subject)
- Bishop Dumeni (Subject)
- Samuel Tshikhudo (Subject)
- Jan Harm van As (Subject)
- Molifi Paris Malatji (Subject)
- Smangaliso Mkhatshwa (Subject)
- Robert Ratshitanga (Subject)
- Steve Tshwete (Subject)
- Albertina Sisulu (Subject)
- Thami Mali (Subject)
- Cosmos Makanga (Subject)
- Dieter Gerhardt (Subject)
- Ruth Gerhardt (Subject)
- Mike Bee (Subject)
- Mac Lekota (Subject)
- Paul Mashatile (Subject)
- Obed Bapela (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
Issue 52 is a significant record of escalating state violence, strategic legal resistance, and critical moments in the Namibian and South African liberation movements.