The Working Group on International Relations, a project of the now dissolved UDF, was established in response to the momentous shifts that took place in the geopolitical realm in the late 1980s, particularly the rapprochement between the USA and USSR, the end of the Cold War, the demise of Soviet Communism, and the international initiatives that affected Namibia, Angola, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Coupled to these changes were the momentous changes taking place within South Africa - the growing climate of negotiations; the unbanning of political organisations; the release of political prisoners; and the return of exiles to South Africa. The WGIR situated itself to facilitate research and dissemination of information relating to these shifts. The material in this collection relates to this role of the WGIR as a point of contact and a research facilitator. As the ANC became better established, the role of the WGIR was gradually taken over by structures within that party.

The collection contains court records, correspondence, notes and press cuttings relating to the legal matter between the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) and African Game Services / African Game Properties, held at the Magistrate's Court for the District of Brits, held at Brits.

Between 1998 and 2000, thirty wild baby elephants were forcibly removed from their mothers and families in Botswana and taken to South Africa, where their spirits were intentionally broken for captive exhibition and display to feed the trade in wild animals.

Because of the conditions under which these elephants were 'trained', a case of cruelty to animals was brought against wild-life dealer and owner of African Game Services (AGS), Riccardo Ghiazza, and his employee. Five years later they were found guilty. The legal wrangle around the Tuli elephants illustrated how weak animal protection legislation is in South Africa.

Geologist, mining official and author of 'Forty years in Africa'

"Tradition counts" a novel set partly in Johannesburg.

To date sixteen recordings are available to the public.

Made by Ellen Kuzwayo, Betty Wolpert, Blanche Tsimatsima. Directed by Betty Wolpert.

The collection consists of background material to the documentary film "Tsiamelo: A place of goodness, produced by Betty Wolpert. The film is based on a project undertaken by Ellen Kuzwayo, where she tells the story of the friendship between her grandfather and Sol Plaatje, and their efforts to have the 1913 Native Land Act repealed. The consequences of this act on succeeding generations are explained, and made vivid to the viewer through the story of the removal of mrs. Kuzwayo's aunt, Blanche Tsimatsima, from the family farm Tsiamelo.

The collection contains mostly photographic material, being copies of existing archival originals, prints of family photos, photos taken during the film production, few copies of letters and a digital copy of the video "Tsiamelo - a place of goodness".

Trial records are all cases of alleged murder of husbands by wives who had suffered domestic abuse and violence.

The records include petitions for clemency because of the abuse suffered by the perpetrators prior to the crime.

Records relating to the Treason Trial, Regina vs. F. Adams and 152 others on a charge of High Treason, 1956-1961.

Including: Correspondence, minutes, memoranda, printed items and court records including preparatory examination, indictment, arraignment and evidence, admissions, addresses, closing arguments, judgments and documentary exhibits. The exhibits relate to organisations including African National Congress, Communist Party of South Africa, Congress of Democrats, Congress of the People, Federation of South African Women, Natal Indian Congress, South African Coloured People's Association, South African Indian Congress, South African Peace Council, Springbok Legion, Transvaal Indian Congress, and to cultural-political groups, vigilance associations and trade unions. Also included are press summaries and bulletins of the Treason Trial Defence Fund. Amonst the many accused were Chief Albert J. Luthuli, Z.K. Matthews, Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu.

Materials collected from TRC Archival Audit.

The TRC Archival Audit

Between 2003 and 2006, SAHA and Historical Papers, University of Witwatersrand embarked on a project to locate, retrieve and make available records relating to the South African Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC). The project entailed conducting an archival audit of all existing TRC records in order to identify and locate documentation in danger of being lost.

In the process of conducting the archival audit, SAHA and HP located many collections from individuals and organizations that participated in the TRC process, including this collection. Selections from these materials as well as TRC related material found in the freedom of Information Collection and other pre-existing SAHA and HP collections, were digitized and can be accessed online at http://truth.wwl.wits.ac.za/

A guide to archival resources relating to South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission can also be found at http://www.saha.org.za/pdf/trc_directory.pdf

Materials collected from TRC Archival Audit.

Although 65 interviews were conducted for this project, only 63 interviews are available, as two interviews were not recorded properly. Interview protocol differed slightly depending on the interviewer and when the interview was scheduled. In cases where questions in the general protocol were unrelated to the specific work of the person being profiled, questions more appropriate to the work of the individual were posed.

This collection is accessible at Historical Papers (HP) Archive as collection A2985. To consult this collection contact Historical Papers at University of the Witwatersrand. (http://www.historicalpapers.wits.ac.za/)