UNISA Documentation Centre for African Studies, May 1981.

The documents of the accession, totalling 118 pages, relate to the early work of the two missionaries in Valdezia between 1874 and 1899 and give an insight into the difficulties and hardships of early missionary life in Southern Africa of that period.

There is an extensive and almost complete set of correspondence (including copies and translations) and other documents in connection with the missionaries' requests to the authorities, namely of the Transvaal Republic, for permission to "preach the gospel to the heathen" of the Spelonken area. The request was refused in spite of the fact that the Church already owned a farm in Valdezia. Later after the two men had been taken to Marabastad and kept prisoner there for a considerable time for ignoring the orders from the State Secretary to cease their activities, permission was eventually granted to do missionary work - but only on their own farm! So the battle for recognition continued. Of special interest here is the 'Declaration' of the 'Commission des Missions' of October 1876 and a copy/translation of a letter from the President of the Swiss Confederation asking for the same rights to be given to Rev. Creux and Berthoud as to other missionaries of "friendly nations".

There is further considerable correspondence between Creux and the 'Commissaris naturellen' re various troubles concerning the local inhabitants in connection with work, taxes and warfare with chiefs Modjadji and Magato. Other letters deal with diseases and the need for vaccine, gifts of fruit, milk and meat. Documents concerning Albasini, 'Commissioner over the Natives of Spelonken' and 'Knopneus kaptein,' are kept separately.

All letters are, except where indicated, handwritten and in the original. They are in English, French and Dutch with a few in Tsonga.

The spelling of names of places and persons are given as they appear in the documents and therefore varies.

Literary manuscripts, personal reminiscences, correspondence, short stories and reviews both by and on William Charles Scully, Magistrate, author and poet. The papers contain items relating to Scully's wife Nora, children and his in-laws, the Richards family of 1820 settler stock. Correspondence, mainly family, is personal but includes comments on his literary ambitions, work as a magistrate and topics of the day.

Minutes of Evidence pp. 1-5777.

Preliminary Memoranda of Evidence 1st Sitting 27 September 1920.

Chairman: Mr H.L. Lindsay.

Verbatim Record of Conference between Mayors of Reef towns and the Supt. of White Labour on the Question of Unemployment 1 October 1920.

Letter of appointment to the 'Centraal Kinderpokken Comittee Johannesburg', signed by S.J.P. Kruger, State President and W.J. Leyds, State Secretary, Pretoria, 7 August 1894.

Digest of report of the Commission of Enquiry into the Moroka Disturbances on the 30th of August 1947.

Memorandum by the District Commandant, South African Police, No.39 (Johannesburg) district.

Race relations and conditions of black, coloured and Indian peoples.

Black healthA.B. XumaBlack educationR.V. Selope-ThomasBlack wagesS.P.M MqubuliBlack trade wivesJ.D.R Rheinallt-JonesBlack juvenile delinquencyMr W.G. BallingerRace relationsAfrican Laundry Workers UnionLandAfrican Commercial vs DistributiveColoured in the CapeWorkers UnionIndian Health serviceBank Welfare TrustCrime in the Witwatersrand and PretoriaDr J. SimonsBus boycottsNative Mine Wages Commission