The University of Pretoria participated in the first National Workshop on the Histories of Universities in South Africa, held at the University of Stellenbosch’s STIAS facilities from 15-18 May 2022. The project is spearheaded by Prof Saleem Badat of the University of Kwazulu-Natal. This first workshop was held to launch and discuss this national project which aims to write critical histories of all South African Higher Education institutions. Prof Karen Harris, Head of the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies and Director of the UP Archives, and Dr Bronwyn Strydom of the UP Archives attended as representatives of University of Pretoria and participants in the project. Essentially it aims to address the lack of historical research and writing on South African universities, and in so doing also shed light on the origins and development of universities in the country.

This is a critical endeavour at a time when the nature, purposes and heritage of South African universities is being grappled with in many institutions and can shed light historically on how universities function within broader social, political and economic contexts. The workshop was attended by both experienced and younger scholars from a number of South African universities and promises to become a constructive and collaborative space for the development of this relevant and complex field of research. Dr Strydom’s DPhil thesis, Broad South Africanism and higher education: The Transvaal University College (1908–1919) completed at UP under the supervision of Prof Harris was referred to in a number of forums during the workshop as a foundational work regarding the historiography of universities in the country and the field of university histories more broadly as a form of historical writing and research. Prof Harris and Dr Strydom have been tasked to oversee the compilation of a guide to the various archives and research resources which may be relevant to the project and will also be involved at UP in projects focused on the research and writing of aspects of UP’s history and heritage. According to Prof Harris, history and heritage are important us they help us to examine our history and traditions to develop an awareness about ourselves and where we have come from, and helps explain what has made us what we are today. 

“Moreover, heritage is a keystone of our culture, playing an important role in our politics, society, business and world view," says Prof Harris, Head of the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies and Director of the UP Archives.