UCT Under Apartheid book launch

Authored by retired academic, Emeritus Professor Howard Phillips, UCT Under Apartheid: Part 1 – From onset to sit-in, 1948­–1968 explores the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) “chequered relationship” with the apartheid state, ranging from uncertainty and willing collaboration to formal opposition and protests, with students’ growing defiance culminating in a sit-in in 1968.

The book places a spotlight on the institution’s leaders, lecturers and students, and hones in on critical aspects of UCT’s heterogenous history, including teaching and research, social, cultural and sporting life.

In partnership with his research assistants, Phillips conducted almost 200 interviews with former staff and students at UCT, examined 25 years of editions of the student newspaper, Varsity, and roughly 50 000 photographs and cartoons. Letters and correspondence by individuals linked to the institution at the time also formed part of his information gathering process.

“This book doesn’t survey just one angle, instead it’s a perspective from 360-degrees,” said Phillips.

UCT staff and students are invited to attend the launch of UCT Under Apartheid, taking place on Wednesday, 12 February, at 17:30 at the Centre for African Studies Gallery, Level 2, Harry Oppenheimer Institute Building on upper campus.

RSVP to connect@alumni.uct.ac.za.