South African Police

Typescript papers, 1930-1931, on the court case Rex v C Diedericks and others, concerning alleged unrest between Europeans and 'coloured people' and a supposed meeting by the Plaatjes in the 'coloured' township of Bulawayo, Swellendam, South Africa, including police witness statements, and correspondence between the police and the magistrate relating to alleged inconsistencies between the statements.

Although apartheid was strengthened in the period from 1948, in the preceding period Black (African) and 'coloured' (other non-white) inhabitants of the Union of South Africa (established in 1910) were already disadvantaged legally and economically in comparison with white inhabitants. Initiatives to oppose their inferior treatment included the activities of the politican and writer Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje (1876-1932).

Open

Acquired in 1988.

The School of Oriental and African Studies holds papers of and concerning S T Plaatje (Ref: MS 375495); a photocopy (Ref: MS 380192) of his manuscripts, 'Notebook 1: The Essential Interpreter', and 'Notebook 2: Sekgama' (originals in Witwatersrand University Library, Johannesburg), part of the Southern African Materials Project.

Papers of S T Plaatje are held at the Historical Papers section of the Library, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa.