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

Laura Pollecutt's political activism started with her involvement in the Progressive Party. She later became a prominent member of the Southern Transvaal branch of the Black Sash, participating in numerous alliances and campaigns. She worked for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in 1997, first as Communication Officer, and later as special researcher for the hearing into the Media Under Apartheid. This led to her role in research and co-ordination for the TRC hearing on the Media and Apartheid in September 1997. Pollecutt wrote the final report with the assistance of Hugh Lewin.

This collection consists of ten photographs of Patrick Fitzgerald, a demonstration and unidentified people. Two duplicates. NEGATIVES of all 10 in the Neg. file. These photographs are stored in the filing cabinet.

The items in this collection include a secretarial report of the Transvaal Gandhi Centenary Council, a proposal for the restoration of Tolstoy Farm and quotes from an interview on Gandhi and Tolstoy Farm.

This collection includes interviews by Tony Karon with Issy and Ann Heymann (1988), Bill and Miriam Hepner (1988) and Harry Gwala (1989). Interviews by Gavin Evans with Zach de Beer (1989) and General Charles Lloyd of the State Security Council (1989).

The conference papers contained in this collection are incomplete.

This collection comprises photocopies of "Code of Conduct for Schools"; final working document "School Governance"; articles from New Nation series "Build your Organisation" and a membership card.

The collection spans the period when Vadi was mostly actively involved in SADTU, and holds correspondence, statements and memorandums of the Union as well as documentation of interactions with other organisations like COSATU and the UDF.

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/)

This collection includes documents on National Conferences, copies of Workers' Voice, Vukani Basebenzi and pamphlets about the Workers' List Party.