South African History Archive
Address:
University of the Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, South Africa
Website & Digital Repository
SAHA's archival collections arelargely madeup of documents, posters, photographs,ephemeraand oral histories donated to SAHA by individuals and organizations involved in past and ongoing struggles for justice in South Africa. These include significant collections relating to the anti-apartheid struggle, the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).There are also collections relating to SAHA's work using freedom of information legislation to promote awareness of access to information in South Africa, as well as materials created or collected in the course of SAHA's various oral history, education, heritage and outreach projects, that cover the period between the 1980s to the 2000s.
University of the Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, South Africa
Website & Digital Repository
About the archive
The South African History Archive (SAHA) is an activist archive based at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, originally established by anti-apartheid activists in the late 1980s. SAHA is committed to documenting, supporting and promoting awareness about past and contemporary struggles for social justice in South Africa, collecting hidden and neglected histories and promoting access to information. Over the years, it has produced a wealth of resources including exhibitions, popular publications, and educational tools for school educators and learners. This work has been done in partnership with other archives, heritage, civil society and educational organizations with the aim of bringing SAHA’s collections out of the archive and to reach various publics, especially communities who would not ordinarily make use of archives.
Focus & Research
SAHA’s work is grounded in documenting both the anti‑apartheid struggle and the post‑apartheid pursuit of social justice, with a particular emphasis on histories that challenge official narratives or remain absent from state archives. Research at SAHA focuses on South Africa’s liberation history, the post‑TRC period, and the role of archives in supporting democracy, accountability, and human rights.Residency details
Available period for archive visits: preferably September 2026Durationon location: 4weeks
What the archive offers:
Access to archival materials,databases and catalogues; digital resources; scanners; technical or research support; curatorial guidance and creative input; and introductions to the collection and its contexts.- There is interest and scope to collaborate with students from the Wits University School of Arts.
Workspace:
office space at the Wits University History WorkshopAccessibility
- SAHA office space: steps, lift, toilets on the same floor
- SAHA archive holdings: steps, toilets on different floor, no disabled access yet
- Support for visually or hearing‑impaired visitors
- Quiet and low‑sensory spaces suitable for neurodiverse researchers