{"id":2853,"date":"2024-10-24T15:01:09","date_gmt":"2024-10-24T13:01:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/bibnuus\/?p=2853"},"modified":"2024-10-24T16:03:35","modified_gmt":"2024-10-24T14:03:35","slug":"democracy-through-the-lens-of-primary-documents-a-thought-provoking-panel-at-the-su-library","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/bibnuus\/en\/2024\/10\/24\/democracy-through-the-lens-of-primary-documents-a-thought-provoking-panel-at-the-su-library\/","title":{"rendered":"Democracy Through the lens of Primary Documents \u2013 A Thought-Provoking Panel at the SU Library"},"content":{"rendered":"

On 1 October 2024, Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service hosted a panel discussion titled “Democracy through the Lens of Primary Documents <\/strong>at Special Collections”<\/em> as part of the Woordfees programme. Held in the Library Auditorium, this event was also part of the Library\u2019s 14th Manuscripts Centre Lecture, featured in the Woordfees \u201cDiscourse Talks\u201d series. The discussion, which ran from 12:00 to 13:00, brought together a diverse group of panellists to reflect on the importance of primary resources in researching and contextualizing South Africa\u2019s political history. The focus was on collections related to South Africa\u2019s journey to democracy from the 1980s onward, highlighting how these materials continue to inspire new research and provide deeper insights into the country\u2019s political transformation.<\/p>\n

In her opening remarks, Ms. Ellen Tise, Senior Director: Stellenbosch University Library and Information Services, emphasised the critical role that primary sources play in preserving the history of democracy in South Africa. She explained how the Manuscripts Section, established in 1969, initially focused on Afrikaans literature but has since expanded to over 480 manuscript collections, now covering subjects such as South African artists, press figures, and political history. This reflects the Library\u2019s ongoing commitment to diversifying its collections and providing a comprehensive view of South Africa\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

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Ms. Ellen Tise, Senior Director: Stellenbosch University Library and Information Services<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ms. Mimi Seyffert-Wirth, Director: Scholarly Communication and Marketing, followed with an overview of the South African political history collections housed in Special Collections, underscoring their importance in understanding the nation’s complex past. She highlighted key materials that document significant political moments leading to democracy.<\/p>\n

In celebration of 30 years of democracy, the SU Library also presented an exhibition titled “1994\u20132024: Democracy in South Africa \u2013 A History Told by Unique Library Collections,”<\/em><\/strong> on display near the Learning Commons. The exhibition showcases rare and historically significant items from Special Collections, including:<\/p>\n