The South African History Archive (SAHA) and Historical Papers were approached by thirty seven people, who were imprisoned on 22 September 1981 and detained for anything from fourteen days to just under one year, to document and preserve their stories. The interviewees are: Cedric de Beer, Hannchen Koornhof, Maurice Smithers, Prema Naidoo, Norman Manoim, Caroline Cullinan, Emma Mashinini, Merle Favis, Pravin Gordhan, Audrey Coleman, Gavin Anderson, Barbara Klugman, Cedric Maysom, Kathy Satchwell, Alan Fine, Monty Narsoo and Joanne Yawitch. A number of the detainees (Rob Adam, Barbara Hogan, Alan Fine, Hannchen Koornhof, Prema Naidoo and Shireesh Nanabhai) went on trial and, in the case of Hogan and Adam, were jailed until the release of political prisoners in 1990. Neil Aggett died while in detention. Whilst other people were detained during this period, the detainees listed here were picked for their links to one another.

Publications and Research unit was established to produce the newsletter, and to give oversight to the Medu executive. In 1982, the P&R Unit reports included summaries of activities or work that should be completed by Publications and Research Unit in 1982, such as issuing of newsletters, and publishing of Mongane Serote's poetry book. In 1983 P & R was divided into the Naledi Writers Unit, which continued oversight of the newsletter and other matters around creative writing and articles; and a separate executive unit of Medu, consisting of elected official.

Medu newsletters were published by Publication and Research Unit within Medu Art Ensemble. Newsletters have illustrations by Medu members, other artists and Medu posters. There are various sections such poetry, art review, from the hotpot, short story and featured articles.