Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1986-1990 (Accumulation)
- 1983-1990 (Accumulation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
0.4 linear metres (4 archival boxes)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Merle Favis was born in Johannesburg in April, 1957. She was the second child of a white liberal family. She attended a government school in Johannesburg and then proceeded to King David High School in Linksfield. While at school she became interested in politics.
After completing her high school education, Merle went to the University of Witwatersrand to study for a B.A. degree majoring in Political Studies and Industrial Sociology. After she graduated in 1979, she became an active member of NUSAS (National Union of South African Students) and the Wages Commission Assisting Unions, negotiating better salaries for their members.
Later in the 1980’s, Merle went to Durban to study for a post-graduate diploma in Adult Education at the University of Natal. She enrolled for another post-graduate degree in Public Policy and Development Administration. The June 1976 Uprisings, inspired Merle to fight Apartheid and to organise different communities to fight together for the liberation of South Africa. In 1979 she was appointed an editor for the South African Labour Bulletin. She later resigned because of internal conflicts evolving from both members of the unions and political organisations.
Merle Favis was arrested for her involvement in political activities in 1981 while working in Durban. After serving five months in detention without charge, she was released. Her work at the University of Natal as a manager for Community Welfare Funding gave her more time to organise various communities. While at Durban, she was able to work with the Indian Congress, the United Democratic Front and the Durban Democratic Association.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This collection is the result of Merle Favis' many years of activism. The collection includes correspondence, newsletters, newspaper cuttings, minutes of meetings, press releases, speeches and miscellaneous materials. Some of the organizations represented in this collection result from Merle gathering materials from fellow activists in Johannesburg and Durban.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
This collection is open for research
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Uploaded finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
20090818