The heritage of the University of KwaZulu-Natal

 

                                                          By Senzo Mkhize

Historical background

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has a rich and evolving heritage, tracing its origins back to the early 20th century when the foundations of universities in South Africa were first established. The roots of UKZN lie in the Natal University College, founded in 1909, which became the University of Natal in 1949. This institution served as the foundation of what is now the University of KwaZulu-Natal, making UKZN the product of more than a century of educational history in the region.

In 2004, UKZN was formed through the merger of the University of Durban-Westville and the University of Natal. The University of Durban-Westville, established during the apartheid era, was designed to provide higher education to the Indian community, while the University of Natal predominantly catered to the white population. This division of educational services was part of the broader system of racial segregation that characterized apartheid South Africa.

With the advent of democracy in 1994 and the subsequent abolition of apartheid, the South African government undertook significant reforms to create a more inclusive and non-racial society. One of the major steps in this process was the merger of the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville in 2004, reflecting the government’s commitment to dismantling the remnants of apartheid. This merger brought together students and staff from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds, marking the creation of a truly non-racial institution that is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and social justice in higher education.

Today, UKZN stands as a symbol of transformation in South African higher education. It continues to build on its legacy of academic excellence, cultural diversity, and social responsibility, offering world-class education and engaging in cutting-edge research that addresses both local and global challenges.

After the merger, all libraries and special collections of these two institutions were integrated under one management to form the University of KwaZulu-Natal Libraries and Special Collections. The university has four Special Collections, the Killie Campbell Africana Library in Musgrave, the Gandhi-Luthuli Documentation Centre in Westville, the Centre for Africa Literary Studies and the Alan Paton Centre and the Struggle Archives in Pietermaritzburg. There are other special collections like the Howard College Special Collection, Herbarium Collection at Life Sciences and the University Archives in Pietermaritzburg. Proposal has been made to form the South African Music Archives as an additional special collection.

These Special Collections have diverse collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, archives, artefacts, ephemera, and digital records which are considered unique, valuable, and fragile, offering a wide range of primary source materials for research across various subjects like history, anthropology, politics, music, religion, literature, and culture; often reflecting diverse perspectives and experiences depending on the collection's focus. The collections are well preserved and conserved for the future generations. All materials have been processed and are discoverable in the University of KwaZulu-Natal Library Website through browsing each special collections’ website.    

The Gandhi-Luthuli Documentation Centre is a distinguished cultural and historical institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the diverse and multifaceted heritage of South Africa. Situated in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, this museum and library play a vital role in commemorating the contributions and experiences of South Africa’s Indian community, with a special focus on the province of KwaZulu-Natal, which has played a significant part in the history of Indian migration to South Africa.

The Centre holds an invaluable collection of books, manuscripts, photographs, and museum artefacts that span across significant historical periods, particularly the colonial and apartheid eras. These collections were carefully curated and amassed by a variety of collectors, donors, and activists, including many notable figures within the Indian community, throughout the 20th century. Among the most treasured items in the Centre’s collection are the ship lists of the indentured laborers who were brought from India to South Africa in 1860 to work on the sugar plantations. This document remains a key historical record of the origins and early lives of many families who contributed to the shaping of South Africa’s socio-economic landscape.

One of the most valuable recent additions to the Centre’s collection is the Dr. Phyllis Naidoo Collection. Dr. Naidoo was a renowned activist, member of the African National Congress (ANC), and a prominent figure in the fight against apartheid. She was also a former student and staff member of both the University of Durban-Westville and the University of Natal. The collection includes personal papers, letters, photographs, and other materials related to Dr. Naidoo’s political work, offering insight into her life and contributions to the liberation struggle in South Africa.

The Alan Paton Centre and the Struggle Archives was named after a renowned author of “Cry, the beloved country” and anti-Apartheid activist, Mr Alan Paton. Alan Paton was a leader of the Liberal Party of South Africa, which was active from 1953 to 1968. The material comprises the original manuscripts of Mr Alan Paton and individual donors and organisation which were involved in the struggle against Apartheid in the Natal Midlands from 1948 to 1990. The collection was donated to the then University of Natal by Alan Paton’s wife, Mrs Anne Paton. In addition to these collections there is a huge collection of books donate to the centre by the Natal Society Foundation.

 The Centre for African Literary Studies Collection was established to house all publications on African literature. The idea was to support the University of KwaZulu-Natal’ vison to be “the Premier University of African Scholarship” and the “University of Choice” in African Studies. Some prominent publications focused on African literature includes Journal of African Studies, Research in African literatures, Journal of African Cultural Studies and The African Writers. Other special collections of interest include a huge collection of books published by African writers, this includes literatures from other countries of Africa. The collection was donated by former University of KwaZulu-Natal academic, Professor Bernth Lindfors. Lindfors is based in the United State of America. This collection has been conscientiously developed over the decades since then to include all African topics which may be of interest to researchers. 

The Killie Campbell Africana Library well known as the Killie Campbell Collections was established by the Campbell family in 1914. The Campbell family was one of the British settlers who came to South Africa in 1850 through Joseph Byrne Immigration Scheme. The original house of the family was at Umdloti near uMhlanga Rocks then they moved to Durban Musgrave area where they build their house called “ Mucleneuk”. The house laid the foundation for the present-day Mashu Museum of Ethnology, Killie Campbell Africana library, the William Campbell Furniture & Picture Collection and the Jo Thorpe Collection. The library and museum comprise a rich variety of rare Africana books, manuscripts, artworks, and museum artefacts, mostly related to southern Africa, particularly the eastern region. The materials were collected by Dr Killie Campbell and her brother William WAC Campbell. The collections were bequeathed to the then University of Natal in 1965 after the death of Killie Campbell and her bother William Campbell. 

Some of the most notable collections donated to the Killie Campbell Africana Library are: The James Stuart manuscripts includes a large collection of notebooks reflecting the work done by James Stuart in recording the oral history of the Zulu people in KwaZulu-Natal and the neighbouring tribes. There are now 6 volumes of James Stuart Archives written by former UKZN history lecturer, Professor John wright. Professor Wright consulted the original manuscripts when he wrote his volumes. The E.G. Malherbe collections which was donated to KCAL by Professor Malherbe who was a   former Principal of the University of Natal. The importance of these collections is measured by the high number of users who visit the library to use them. In addition, the new collections added to the museum are African Masks collection and the Human Right paintings.  

Preservation and conservation of the collections

All Special Collections of the University of KwaZulu-Natal continues to collect, arranges, preserve, conserve, and make available records of enduring historic value that support the information needs of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s faculty, students, academics and the general public. Currently, the Special Collections has embarked on a massive digitisation of rare Africana collections, this includes the photographs and the manuscripts. Materials are digitized on DISA website for preservation and access

The digitization project is not only focused on scanning materials but also on developing a user-friendly online platform that will serve as a comprehensive resource for researchers, students, and the general public. By using advanced technologies, the Special Collections aims to make its collections more discoverable and accessible at any time and from anywhere in the world. This also includes plans for interactive digital exhibits and virtual tours that will further enhance the public’s experience and engagement with the Special Collections.

Marketing our Special Collections

·       Online marketing; we are focusing on highlighting the uniqueness value of our collections by digitising and making our collections easily accessible through individual special collections’ websites and DISA website.  Adverting our events online and conduct online annual lectures and other events. We also promote online exhibitions to showcase our special collections.

·       Collaborating with different institutions and organisations, history societies to use our special collections to do their events and to promote our special collections to their clients.

·       Partner with schools to offer tours and presentations to students on using special collections for their researches.

·       Outreach to promote our special collections; partners with local museums, libraries and other heritage institutions to promote our collections-through attending their events or assisting in training their staff.

·       Host both online and in-person events to promote our special collections, e.g. annual lectures, book launches, meetings, film shootings etc.

Challenges

Preserving UKZN Special Collections faces numerous challenges, including climate change, lack of proper equipment for digitisation, insufficient funding, lack of space, pest and mold infestation, lack of air-conditioners, shortage of staff, obsolescence of technology, all of which can lead to the loss or permanent damage to our unique and valuable collections. 

However, the UKZN Library management is doing all it can to save these treasures of our university and KZN in particular. Attempts are being made to expand the centres and to replace outdated equipment, hire contract staff to assist with preservation and conservation and speed up the digitisation of fragile collections.

References

Alan Paton Centre & Struggle Archives’ pamphlet

Buthelezi, V. Dr Killie Campbell1 and her collections: Challenging the colonial notions of museums displays and representation. Unpublished paper, Campbell Collections.

Buthelezi, V; Cele, M and Krige, E Treasures of the South: The history and holdings of Campbell Collections. Seminar, June 1, 2011, available at https://phambo.wiser.org.za/seminars/buthelezi/2011.html

Gandhi Luthuli& Documentation Centre’ pamphlet

Centre for African Literary Studies’ pamphlet

Herd, N Killie’s Africa: The Achievement of Dr Killie Campbell. Pietermaritzburg: Blue Crane, 1982.

Killie Campbell Manuscripts

KwaZulu-Natal Archives and Records Services preservation and conservation pamphlet

Muir, S, Killie Campbell Africana Library, William Campbell Museum and Mushu Museum.

The Special Collections of the University of KwaZulu Natal’ pamphlet