Looking Back through the Archives

“An invaluable source of historical information.” This is how the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) Libraries and Archives Director Nomaza Dingayo described the Western Cape Archives and Records Service on 5 May 2014 at the launch of the ninth National Archives Week. 

Archivist Dr Gustav Hendrich spoke about how original historical materials in the archives document the changing role of Parliament from its first session in 1854. This is clearly relevant to the 2014 Archives Week theme: “Archives for Democracy, Accountability and Transparency”.

Ebrahim Rhoda, the author of three books about the Cape Muslim community, described how archives staff members have assisted him by providing access to many valuable historical materials. His work has taken him to distant places where Cape slaves originate, including Makassar in Indonesia.

Archives Week will run until 9 May 2014, with guided tours every weekday between 09:00 and 15:00. To make archival materials accessible to people who are busy during office hours, the archives reading room is open on Thursdays from 16:00–19:00 and on the first Saturday of every month.