Political power and politics: selecting, creating, and preserving liberation movement archives in South Africa

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to assess the role of political power and politics in selecting, creating and preserving Liberation Movement archives in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachA review of literature focusing on liberations archives was carried out.FindingsPolitics and the associated power play an essential role in the selection, creation and preservation of liberation movement archives. The study found out that the African National Congress (ANC) selected the University of Fort Hare as the center to preserve liberation movements repatriated from all over the world to South Africa. The National Archives of South Africa did not play a role in the preservation of liberation movement archives. The study also noted that there existed an ineffective collaboration between the ANC and the National Archives of South Africa regarding the preservation of liberation movements archives.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focused on the liberation movement archives created by the ANC of South Africa only.Social implicationsThe establishment of liberation archives may promote social cohesion.Originality/valueThe liberation movement archives are a part of the history of South Africa and present perspectives on the history of the liberation of South Africa. This study, which builds on the post-colonial scholarship on liberation movement archives, discussed the significance of liberation archives.