Southern Africa

Researching Southern Africa

The collections primarily focus on the history and politics of Southern Africa, spanning from the early 20th-century colonial era to the end of the apartheid regime. A major area of coverage is the struggle for human rights and anti-racism, specifically through anti-apartheid movements and political organizations like the African National Congress. The records highlight the deep impact of race relations and segregation on society, alongside the history of political violence, resistance, and the transition to democracy in countries such as South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

Beyond traditional politics, the collections cover the region's cultural and industrial past, including the development of colonial railways, the history of mining for gold and diamonds, and colonial administration. There is also a significant focus on political ecology and the green movement, with many records exploring environmental policy, climate change, and sustainable development on both a regional and global scale. Additionally, the archives contain a rich variety of personal materials, such as poetry, sermons, and diaries, which provide a human perspective on these broad historical events.

Notable collections/collectors  

Southern African archives

The Borthwick Institute for Archives holds various collections relating to Southern Africa. The material in these collections ranges from administrative and personal correspondence, including photographs and diaries, to political publications by the ANC and other anti-apartheid organisations. There are also lectures, poems, plays and sermons.

Notable collections include the papers of human rights activist and poet Dennis Brutus, and anti-apartheid activist and journalist Patrick Duncan.  In addition, the Borthwick holds the papers of Michael Young relating to the secret bilateral talks between the African National Congress and the Afrikaaner community in the late 1980s, which contributed to the end of the apartheid regime in South Africa.

Adrian Leftwich collection

Adrian Leftwich was a senior lecturer in the Department of Politics and his collection focuses on the subjects of sociology, South African politics (including Apartheid), political development, African history and economic development.

General Pamphlet Collection

This eclectic collection covers a wide range of topics from the early 20th-century and is a valuable primary source with pamphlets written by contemporary politicians, academics, historians and writers.

How to access the collections 

All the collections can be accessed via the Library's online catalogue. A valid University of York username and password is required to access content online. 

Many items held in the library can be borrowed using a suitable library card, some titles might be reference only and can only be read on site. 

Items held in the Borthwick can be consulted in the Borthwick Reading Room and copies can be made subject to copyright and condition. These materials cannot be loaned outside the University of York without the permission of the owners. Books in the Rare Books Collection may also be consulted at the Borthwick Institute for Archives.