Welcome to the National Heritage Cultural Studies Centre (NAHECSC) at the University of Fort Hare in the Republic of South Africa. The Centre has four distinct features:
The Centre has truly unique heritage collections. We have over 4000 indigenous and contemporary South African artefacts that date to the 19th century. Their rich diversity and national character are unprecedented and widely acknowledged. The South African National Monuments Council has declared these collections a National Cultural Treasure. In addition, the South African art collections are some one hundred and twenty very rare and unique artefacts from Southern Africa, Central Africa and West Africa, including 18th century art works.
The Archives has its own special attraction and is divided into two sections. The Cultural Heritage archive contains the largest collection of African cultural heritage records, including some of the earliest African literary tradition, especially in Xhosa, dating to the 19th century. These diverse forms of literary tradition make the collections particularly unique. Included in the collection are:
The Liberation Archives are also housed at the Centre and include the records and artefacts of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), the Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO), Black Consciousness Movement (BCM), Unity Movement of South Africa (UMSA) and the New Unity Movement. There are approximately 50 linear metres of documents and records in the PAC collection along with 375 reels of audio recordings and 150 videos.
The Liberation Archives are primary sources vital for research, scholarship and other projects pertaining to the Liberation Struggle in South Africa.
The custodianship of the Museum and Archive heritage collection goes beyond the preservation and conservation of these artefacts and documents. Indeed, equally essential is access to the collection in a secure and safe environment. The multimedia strategy of the Centre in fulfilling this obligation of providing access to these heritage troves includes the use of electronic networks. Hence the creation of this World Wide Web site
We take great pleasure in welcoming you to our Web site which will be updated regularly to bring you the latest information on every facet of the Centre's programmes and activities, including exhibitions, research and new collections.
Our responsibility as a University for the custodianship for the unique heritage resources in our Archives and Museum calls for partnerships without borders with individuals and organisations throughout the world. We therefore invite partnership and support for the following initiatives:
For further inquiries, please contact:
| Professor Themba Sirayi
Director National Heritage Cultural Studies Centre University of Fort Hare Alice 5700 |
Phone: 27(040) 65 31175 or 65 31837
Fax: 27(040) 65 31926 E-mail: CCS@ufhcc.ufh.ac.za |