Archives and Human Rights Documentation
Archives in South Africa
Archives at the Crossroads 2007
Report on two-day conference, organised in 2007 by Nelson Mandela Foundation and the University of the Witwatersrand, with the support of the Minister of Arts and Culture, to assess the state of the national archival system and the vitality of the broader archival sector.
View the Archives at the Crossroads 2007 PDF (1.39MB)
The Archival Platform
Site aimed at supporting the ongoing development of archives and heritage in South Africa. Site includes lists of links to South African archives, heritage organisations and museums, as well as information on archival publications and projects.
Visit The Archival Platform
National Archives of South Africa
Website of the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa. This body was established by promulgation of the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act (Act No 43 of 1996 as amended).
National Archives of South Africa
Relevant South African Legislation
National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (ACT NO. 43 OF 1996)
This Act provides for: a National Archives and Record Service; the proper management and care of the records of government bodies; the preservation and use of a national archival heritage; and to provide for related matters.
Download a copy of the act
International archives with South African Collections
Nelson Mandela Foundation > Anti-Apartheid Movement Archives
Online guide to anti-apartheid movements archives documenting international solidarity in the struggles against apartheid, compiled by the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Visit the Anti-Apartheid Movement Archives online guide
Anti-apartheid and Southern Africa Collection Guide
In 2008 the International Institute of Social History (IISH) acquired an extensive collection of archival materials relating to the anti-apartheid and Southern Africa solidarity groups in The Netherlands.
Learn more about the guide and the work of IISH
Human Rights Archives and Documentation
Documenting Truth
Publication on human rights documentation developed by the International Center for Transitional Justice's Documentation Affinity Group. Free to download.
Learn more about the Documenting Truth publication
Human Rights Archives and Documentation Program
Initiative of the Center for Research Libraries concerned with the 'the effective collecting, safekeeping, and appropriate accessibility of archives and documentation regarding violations of human rights and the prevention and prosecution of those abuses in all world regions.'
Visit the Human Rights Archives and Documentation Program website
Human Rights Library and Archival Research blog
Blog showcasing resources for human rights research at the University of Connecticut at Storrs.
Visit the blog
ICA Working Group - Archives and Human Rights
Virtual space created by the International Council of Archives for professionals working in the field of human right archiving and documentation to share information, resources and experiences.
Visit the ICA Working Group website
The Margarita S. Studemeister Digital Collections in International Conflict Management
Digital library of collections of peace agreements and truth commissions materials from the United States Institute of Peace.
Visit the website for these collections
Spotlight: the role of archives in human rights (October 2009)
Excellent annotated list of links to resources, tools, videos, and information on both human rights on archives and archiving, posted on the WITNESS blog, The Hub, in October 2009.
Read the posting
WITNESS Media Archive
Archival arm of WITNESS, aimed at collecting, documenting, preserving and providing access to audiovisual human rights media in the support of advocacy, prosecution of justice, truthtelling, and the historical record.
Visit the WITNESS Media Archive website
