The University of Cape Town Photographs and Images Collection
University of Cape Town
The photographic archive in Special Collections has material that spans a period from the inception of photography to the present day, from fragile prints to digital format. Fox Talbot’s Pencil of Nature is a rare body of work that found its way to the African continent. Many of the early photographs are of Cape Town and its surrounds, reflecting its architecture, environment, and the city’s early development. There is also a considerable archive reflecting UCT’s memory and history. The archive houses social history and anthropology collections of Bleek and Lloyd, Hunter-Wilson and Martin West. New material from the 1950s to contemporary times includes the archives of Jürgen Schadeberg and Ernest Cole. Other seminal collections complement the early historic images: The Cordoned Heart, an investigation into poverty and development; Beyond the Barricades, an anthology documenting resistance to apartheid; the Staffrider exhibitions; as well as photographers such as Guy Tillim, Greg Marinovich, Cedric Nunn, George Hallett, Paul Grendon, Chris Ledochowski, Graeme Williams, and others. We are also engaged in projects that aim to keep the archive alive and in conversation with the South African heritage and memory: Underexposed is a collection of highly significant but off-the-radar photographers; The Other Camera is an anthology of vernacular photography; while the Ernest Cole Award supports contemporary South African photography.
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South Africa
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 2001
Free State, South Africa. A traditional initiation ceremony is held on a farm in the eastern Free State, South Africa. 2001/2002.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 2000
A view of Jerusalem as seen from a cemetery.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 2000
Israeli police stand guard outside a building.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 2000
A young girl walks down a street.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 2000
A crowd passes by a guarded building.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 2000
Musicians performing on the Grand Parade, Cape Town.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 2000
A young boy stands in an ally and yawns.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 2000
A man and his daughter walk through town.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 2000
An old man walks past a small trading store.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 2000
Religious placard demonstration in Cape Town.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 2000
A woman and her daughter in conservative dress walk through town.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 2000
View of Jerusalem as seen through two trees.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
BaSotho initiates at HaMohlokaqala village in western Lesotho ceremonially wash as they prepare to return to society as men after undergoing a grueling traditional four month initiation process. Dec 10, …
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
An Angolan garimpeiro (an independent prospector for minerals) strikes the muddy earth in an effort to dig up diamonds from shallow pits outside Lucapa in the Lunda Norte Province of …
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
A woman collects water from a communal tap in the Qwaqwa homeland. Under apartheid, homelands or 'bantustans' were areas reserved for the black population of South Africa.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
PAGAD march against British Prime Minister, Tony Blair's visit to South Africa.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
BaSotho initiates at HaMohlokaqala village in western Lesotho return to society as men after undergoing a grueling traditional four month initiation process Dec 10, 1999.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
Northern KwaZulu-Natal. Nompumelelo Mkhwanazi refuses to get out of her white wedding gown and into a beaded skirt and leopard skin collar before a traditional Zulu wedding in the Shembe …
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
BaSotho initiates at HaMohlokaqala village in western Lesotho ceremonially wash as they prepare to return to society as men after undergoing a grueling traditional four month initiation process. Dec 10, …
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
Villagers gather to watch as BaSotho initiates at HaMohlokaqala village in western Lesotho sing after undergoing a grueling traditional four month initiation process, Dec 10, 1999. The blankets they wore …
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
A BaSubiya village in the Caprivi Strip, Namibia.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
A BaSubiya village in the Caprivi Strip, Namibia.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
BaSotho initiates at HaMohlokaqala village in western Lesotho prepare to return to society as men after undergoing a grueling traditional four month initiation process. Dec 10, 1999.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
Women weaving baskets on which fish are dried.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
A young man arrested for shoplifting.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
A member of the Hard Livings gang is confronted by two armoured vehicles during a march.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
Family and villagers gather as BaSotho initiates at HaMohlokaqala village in western Lesotho ceremonially wash as they prepare to return to society as men after undergoing a grueling traditional four …
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
BaSotho initiates at HaMohlokaqala village in western Lesotho prepare to return to society as men after undergoing a grueling traditional four month initiation process Dec 10, 1999.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
Police lock up a suspect brought in by neighbourhood watch members.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
A BaSubiya village in the Caprivi Strip, Namibia.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
BaSotho initiates at HaMohlokaqala village in western Lesotho sing on their return to society as men after undergoing a grueling traditional four month initiation process. Dec 10, 1999.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
PAGAD march against British Prime Minister, Tony Blair's visit to South Africa.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
Magwa Tea Plantation in the Eastern Cape.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
A BaSubiya village in the Caprivi Strip, Namibia.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
BaSotho men at HaMohlokaqala village in western Lesotho as young initiates prepare to return to society as men after undergoing a grueling traditional four month initiation process. Dec 10, 1999.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
Women weaving baskets on which fish are dried.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
A BaSotho initiate at HaMohlokaqala village in western Lesotho sings a song as he and his peers prepare to return to society as men after undergoing a grueling traditional four …
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
Chilli peppers being sold outside a house.
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
Northern KwaZulu-Natal. Nompumelelo Mkhwanazi refuses to get out of her white wedding gown and into a beaded skirt and leopard skin collar before a traditional Zulu wedding in the Shembe …
UCT: University of Cape Town · 1 October 1999
Northern KwaZulu-Natal. Nompumelelo Mkhwanazi and Mthokozisi Mthembu's 'white wedding' at a Christian Baptist church which precedes a traditional Zulu wedding in the Shembe or Nazareth Baptist Church wedding at the …