IMAGE DETAILS
Name:
Description:
Credit:
Archive:
Type:
Code:
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
The images on this site have been licensed for use in this virtual exhibition. These images are subject to copyright, and usage without permission from the copyright holder is illegal.
However, despite extensive efforts, it was not possible to trace the sources of a small number of the images included. We urge anyone who knows the source of an uncredited image, or who themselves own the rights to any image, to contact us.
USAGE REQUEST
- APARTHEID PROJECT
- PERSONALITIES
- FEDERAL UNIVERSITY
- IMPERIAL PROJECT
- DEMOCRATIC ERA

Name: 1983: First black professor
Description: Deuteronomy Bhekinkosi Zeblon Ntuli, 2015.
Credit: © Francois Nel / University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Mr Anton Lembede
Description: Mr Anton Lembede, 1914-1947, Alumnus, Lawyer, Political Visionary
Credit: © Source Unknown
Archive: Source Unknown
Type: Photograph

Name: Judge Bernard Ngoepe
Description: Judge Bernard Makgabo Ngoepe, Chancellor & alumnus
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1946-47: First correspondence programme
Description: Handpainted advert for the first correspondence courses of the Division of External Studies, date unknown.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Document

Name: 1927: First BA for a black woman
Description: Gertrude Nontwana Ntlabati, 1928.
Credit: © Howard Pim Africana Library / Africa Media Online
Archive: African Media Online
Type: Photograph

Name: 1916: The University of South Africa
Description: Register of honorary doctorates conferred by the University of the Cape of Good Hope and later Unisa, 1899 to 1987.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Document

Name: 2003: Embracing an African renaissance
Description: The entrance to the Institute for African Renaissance Studies on the Muckleneuk Campus, Pretoria.
Credit: © Francois Nel / University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 2001: Arms Deal allegations
Description: A photo of the proceedings of the Pretoria-based Seriti Commission of Inquiry into the Arms Deal.
Credit: © Madelene Cronje / Mail and Guardian
Archive: Mail and Guardian Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1996: National healing
Description: Cover of the Report of the Reparation & Rehabilitation Committee, one of the volumes of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report.
Credit: © Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, South Africa
Archive: Department of Constitutional Development, South Africa
Type: Document

Name: 1924: A welfare state for whites
Description: Boer general Barry Hertzog will serve as Prime Minister of the Union from 1924 to 1939.
Credit: © National Archives and Record Services of South Africa
Archive: South Africa
Type: Photograph

Name: 2013: Reinforcing science
Description: Unisa's Science Campus is opened in Florida, Johannesburg on 30 July 2013.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1950: China divides
Description: A 1968 Chinese propaganda poster depicts Africans revering a portrait of Communist China’s founding father Mao Tse-tung, bearing the word 'liberator'.
Credit: © chineseposters.net / International Institute of Social History, Amsterdam
Archive: International Institute of Social History, Amsterdam
Type: Poster

Name: 1836: A “purely examining” university
Description: Grant of arms issued to the University of London, 1838. A grant of arms gives royal recognition to an institution by allowing it to bear a coat of arms.
Credit: © Senate House Library / University of London
Archive: Senate House, Univerisity of London
Type: Document

Name: 2002: Prestigious accreditation
Description: The Distance Education and Training Council certificate is displayed in the Samuel Pauw Building on Unisa’s Muckleneuk Campus, Pretoria.
Credit: © Pieter Du Plessis / University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Document

Name: 1999: A transparent vice-chancellorship
Description: Oil painting of Professor Antony Melck, Acting Principal of Unisa from 1998 and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa from 1999 to 2001.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 2006-08: Global financial crisis
Description: Protestors decry the role of Wall Street banks in the 2011 US federal budget crisis, which sparked the most volatile week for financial markets since the 2008 crisis.
Credit: © David McNew / Getty Images
Archive: Getty Images
Type: Photograph

Name: 1970: Black South Africans lose citizenship
Description: A photo of the cover of an old Bophuthatswana passport. Black South Africans living in the homelands needed passports to enter South Africa.
Credit: © Pieter Du Plessis / University of South Africa, courtesy of Mahibitswane Magdeline Tshikare
Archive:
Type: Document

Name: 1949: Correspondence students graduate
Description: While no photos exist of this first graduation, here, correspondence students attend Unisa’s Non-European Vacation School, Pretoria, 1949.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1976: Uprising in Soweto
Description: A group of students protest against the use of Afrikaans as the only language of instruction in schools during the Soweto Uprising, 16 June 1976.
Credit: © Peter Magubane
Archive: Peter Magubane Private Collection
Type: Photograph

Name: 1886: "Endless" gold discovered
Description: Workers at Furnace House, Robinson Chlorination Works, Johannesburg, where gold is extracted from its ore.
Credit: © Historical Papers Research Archive / University of the Witwatersrand
Archive: Wits Historical Papers
Type: Photograph

Name: 2010: World Cup success
Description: The FIFA World Cup trophy, Mexico, March 2010. The trophy embarks on a global tour of 86 countries before arriving in Johannesburg for the kick-off on 11 June.
Credit: © Alfredo Lopez / Jam Media / LatinContent / Getty Images
Archive: Getty Images
Type: Photograph

Name: 1948: National Party takes power
Description: An election flyer calls for the electorate to endorse apartheid by voting for L.A. Snyman, leader of the National Party’s Braamfontein constituency, 1953.
Credit: © Jürgen Schadeberg
Archive: Jurgen Schadeberg Collection
Type: Photograph

Name: 1955: Freedom Charter adopted
Description: A pamphlet from the 1956 ‘Sign the Freedom Charter’ campaign seeks to popularise the Charter, which was adopted in Kliptown, Soweto, 26 June 1955.
Credit: © UWC-Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives
Archive: Mayibuye Archives
Type: Poster

Name: 2014: White Paper for Higher Education
Description: Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Blade Nzimande is pictured here at the University of Johannesburg, October 2011.
Credit: © Madelene Cronje / Mail and Guardian
Archive: Mail and Guardian Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 2006: A new brand identity
Description: Unveiling of the new Unisa crest by Council Chairperson Dr Mathews Phosa (left) and Chancellor Judge Bernard Ngoepe (right), 30 March 2005.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1988-89: Mandela completes law degree
Description: In addition to earning an LLB through Unisa, Mandela will also be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law by the University on 16 September 1995.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1965: Enrolment from Robben Island
Description: Ahmed Kathrada poses for a portrait by photographer Eli Weinberg, 1950s.
Credit: © UWC-Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives
Archive: Mayibuye Archives
Type: Photograph

Name: 1901: Catering to island prisoners
Description: Boer prisoners of war attend school at Deadwood Camp on the Atlantic island of St Helena, circa 1900.
Credit: © King's Own Royal Regiment Museum, Lancaster
Archive: King's Own Royal Regiment Museum, Lancaster
Type: Photograph

Name: 1963-69: Developing business leadership
Description: Two students at Unisa’s annual winter Vacation School, Pretoria. These are the kinds of students the School of Business Leadership would have wanted to attract.
Credit: © Pretoria News
Archive: Pretoria News Archive
Type: Newspaper

Name: 1962: Cold War crisis
Description: A US intelligence photo of Nuclear Warhead Bunker Site 1 under construction during the Cuban Missile Crisis, San Cristóbal, Cuba, November 1962.
Credit: © Corbis
Archive: Corbis via Greatstock
Type: Photograph

Name: 1953-59: Revolution in Cuba
Description: Fidel Castro addresses supporters after his guerrillas take Havana following a bitter struggle against the US-backed Batista regime, 8 January 1959.
Credit: © AP Photo / PictureNet
Archive: PictureNet
Type: Photograph

Name: 2001: Terror on September 11th
Description: Smoke billows from the buildings of the World Trade Centre in New York after one of four coordinated terrorist attacks, USA, 11 September 2001.
Credit: © Jim Collins / AP Photo / PictureNet
Archive: PictureNet
Type: Photograph

Name: 1884: The Berlin Conference
Description: Illustration of the proceedings of the Berlin Conference, Allgemeine Illustrierte Zeitung, 1884.
Credit: © akg-images
Archive: akg-images
Type: Painting

Name: 2001: Wikipedia launched
Description: A computer screen displays a version of the Wikipedia logo used in a protest against the Stop Online Piracy Bill in the US, January 2012.
Credit: © Annette Shaff / Shutterstock.com
Archive: Shutterstock.com
Type: Graphic

Name: 1979: Separate amenities scrapped
Description: Parliament will only repeal the Separate Amenities Act in 1990. Here, apartheid signs which have come down at a train station are stacked on a trolley.
Credit: © Ambrose Peters / Sunday Times / PictureNet
Archive: PictureNet
Type: Photograph

Name: 1983: Uniting against apartheid
Description: Johannesburg Democratic Action Committee poster in support of the UDF's 1984 Million Signature Campaign to oppose apartheid constitutional reforms.
Credit: © ANC Archives / Africa Media Online
Archive: Africa Media Online
Type: Poster

Name: 1959: Federalism reborn under apartheid
Description: Coats of arms of Unisa, of the four new “non-white” colleges created by the 1959 Act, and of Fort Hare. Unisa now oversees all five institutions.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Document

Name: 1953: A home of our own
Description: Unisa’s new home at 263 Skinner Street (now Nana Sita Street), Pretoria. For the first time, Unisa is under one roof in Pretoria.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1918: Unisa begins operations
Description: Unisa's first rented premises, Vermeulen Street (now Madiba Street), Pretoria.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1920-21: New constituent colleges
Description: Aerial view of the University of the Witwatersrand (previously the School of Mines and Technology) in 1922.
Credit: © Wits Central Archives
Archive: Wits Central Archives
Type: Photograph

Name: 1920: Peace and the League of Nations
Description: Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Paul Hymans addresses the First Assembly of the League of Nations as its founding President, Geneva, 1920.
Credit: © United Nations Archive, Geneva
Archive: United Nations Archive, Geneva
Type: Photograph

Name: 1918: Broederbond
Description: Bottom: the founding fathers of the Broederbond.
Credit: © Afrikaner Broederbond Archives Collection / Die Erfenisstiging Argief, Pretoria
Archive: Die Erfenisstiging Argief, Pretoria
Type: Photograph

Name: 1916: Fort Hare opens
Description: Fort Hare students (from left) Oliver Tambo, Congress Mbata and Lancelot Gama, Alice, 1940. All three will later rise to political prominence.
Credit: © Dr Lancelot Gama, courtesy of Luli Callinicos
Archive: Luli Callinicos Private Collection
Type: Photograph

Name: 1899-1902: South African (Anglo–Boer) War
Description: In the aftermath of the South African War, British soldiers round up Boers, and thousands of Africans, and force them into concentration camps.
Credit: © Museum Africa
Archive: Museum Africa
Type: Photograph

Name: 1880: First black matriculant
Description: Reverend Sihlali (probably 3rd row from the back, 2nd from the right) with fellow delegates to a convention at Lovedale Mission, Alice, 1906
Credit: © Cory Library / Rhodes University / Africa Media Online
Archive: Africa Media Online
Type: Photograph

Name: 2001: First black Vice-Chancellor and Principal
Description: Unisa Chancellor, Judge President Bernard Ngoepe, officially invests Dr Barney Pityana as the first black Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1990: Towards a new South Africa
Description: Mandela walks free from Victor Verster prison, arm-in-arm with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Cape Town, 11 February 1990.
Credit: © Graeme Williams / South Photographs / Africa Media Online
Archive: Africa Media Online
Type: Photograph

Name: 1960: Massacre at Sharpeville
Description: A grief-stricken woman is led home after viewing the body of her husband, who was shot by police opposite the Sharpeville police station, 1960.
Credit: © Peter Magubane / Bailey’s African History Archive
Archive: Bailey's African History Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1985: States of emergency
Description: Archbishop Desmond Tutu addresses mourners at the funeral of victims of a police shooting, KwaThema township in the then-Transvaal, 24 July 1985.
Credit: © Gille de Vlieg / South Photographs / Africa Media Online
Archive: Africa Media Online
Type: Photograph

Name: 1954: Civil rights vs segregated education
Description: The 1955 judgement by Chief Justice Earl Warren stipulating how the desegregation of schools must be carried out – 'with all deliberate speed'.
Credit: © Supreme Court of the United States of America
Archive: National Archive of the United States of America
Type: Document

Name: 1957: Anthropological museum underway
Description: Cast of “Florisbad Man” at the Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology. The original was found near Bloemfontein and dates to about 253,000 years ago.
Credit: © Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology / University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1958: First MA for an Indian South African
Description: Bridglal Pachai, 1959.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1912: SANNC founded
Description: The South African Native National Congress delegation to London to protest against the 1913 Land Act, June 1914.
Credit: © Drum Social Histories / Bailey’s African History Archive / Africa Media Online
Archive: Africa Media Online
Type: Photograph

Name: 1971: Email arrives
Description: Ray Tomlinson, inventor of the e-mail address '@' symbol, at his office in Massachusetts, USA, 1999.
Credit: © Corbis
Archive: Corbis via Greatstock
Type: Photograph

Name: 1969: A ten-switchboard exchange
Description: A woman operates a telephone switchboard, England, 1954. Unisa’s 1969 switchboards would have been a significant technological improvement on this one.
Credit: © SSPL / Getty Images
Archive: Getty Images
Type: Photograph

Name: 1930: Suffrage for white women
Description: The Women's Enfranchisement Association of the Union, representing a white, English-speaking elite, campaign for the right of women to vote, circa 1910.
Credit: © Museum Africa
Archive: Museum Africa
Type: Photograph

Name: 1930: Pretoria separates
Description: Plans for the University of Pretoria campus, 1930.
Credit: © University of Pretoria Archive
Archive: University of Pretoria Archive
Type: Map

Name: 1937: Own syllabi for Fort Hare
Description: A view of Christian Union Hall, University College of Fort Hare, circa 1930.
Credit: © W.E.B. Du Bois Papers / Special Collections and University Archives / University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries
Archive: University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries
Type: Photograph

Name: 2012: Lethal force at Marikana
Description: Striking Lonmin miners gather on Wonderkop Hill outside Rustenburg in the North West Province of South Africa, 15 August 2012, a day before the Marikana Massacre.
Credit: © Greg Marinovich
Archive: Greg Marinovich Private Collection
Type: Photograph

Name: 1925: Proof of other galaxies
Description: Edwin Hubble looks through the historic Schmidt telescope, Palomar Observatory, California, USA, 1949.
Credit: © Boyer / Roger Viollet / Getty Images
Archive: Getty Images
Type: Photograph

Name: 1961: Verwoerd’s Republic
Description: President C.R. Swart at Republic Day celebrations, circa 1961. Republic Day was celebrated annually on 31 May, the day SA left the Commonwealth
Credit: © Drum Social Histories / Bailey’s African History Archive
Archive: Bailey's African History Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 2013: World mourns Mandela
Description: The front page of the United Kingdom's Daily Telegraph pays homage to former South African President Nelson Mandela after his death on 5 December 2013.
Credit: © Greg Bartley / Daily Telegraph
Archive: Camerapress
Type: Photograph

Name: 2009: Obama euphoria
Description: President Barack Obama will go on to win a second presidential term. Here, he waves to supporters on the night of his re-election victory, Chicago, 6 November 2012.
Credit: © Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Archive: Getty Images
Type: Photograph

Name: 1997 Facing global climate change
Description: A plenary session at the Kyoto International Conference Centre during the United Nation's annual Conference on Climate Change, Japan, 1997.
Credit: © UN Photo / Frank Leather
Archive: United Nations Photo Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1994: Democratic elections
Description: Voters queue at dawn at a polling station north of Pretoria in South Africa's first democratic election, 27 April 1994.
Credit: © Graeme Williams / South Photographs / Africa Media Online
Archive: Africa Media Online
Type: Photograph

Name: 1973: Student leaders banned
Description: Student leaders Steve Biko (left) and David Hemson (right) meet socially in Durban in 1968, shortly before the launch of SASO.
Credit: © David Hemson
Archive: David Hemson Personal Collection
Type: Photograph

Name: 1960: Bureau of Market Research
Description: A 1964 reprint of the second research report issued by Unisa's Bureau of Market Research. The report was originally published in 1961.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Document

Name: 1941-46: Black mineworkers unionise
Description: Police address workers during the 1946 strike, City Deep, Johannesburg.
Credit: © Times Media Collection / Museum Africa
Archive: Museum Africa
Type: Photograph

Name: 1877: Royal charter bestowed
Description: A royal charter grants a right or power – in the case of this 1877 charter, the recognition of degrees – to an institution.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Document

Name: 1874: First degrees conferred
Description: Diocesan College student Robert Sheard becomes the first recipient of a University of the Cape of Good Hope MA.
Credit: © The Western Cape Archives and Records Service, reference J2722
Archive: Western Cape Archives and Record Services
Type: Photograph

Name: 1965: Bilingualism threatened
Description: Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Samuel Pauw, 1956.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1963: Compact cassettes launched
Description: A photo of a cassette like the prototype introduced by Philips at the Berlin Radio Show in August 1963.
Credit: © Philips Company Archives
Archive: Philips Company Archives
Type: Photograph

Name: 2009: Two million books
Description: The Unisa Library's two millionth acquisition is The Highgrove Florilegium, a book of botanical illustrations of plants in the garden of Charles, Prince of Wales.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Document

Name: 2008: Xenophobia shames South Africa
Description: Demonstrators march through central Johannesburg to protest against xenophobic attacks which have left 62 dead, hundreds injured and thousands displaced, 24 May 2008.
Credit: © Mike Hutchings / Reuters / Getty Images
Archive: Getty Images
Type: Photograph

Name: 2007: The ANC in Polokwane
Description: Former President Thabo Mbeki stands in front of his then-deputy Jacob Zuma during the opening of Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, 6 February 2004.
Credit: © Obed Zilwa / AP Photo / PictureNet
Archive: PictureNet
Type: Photograph

Name: 2007: Ethiopian campus opens
Description: Map of East Africa pinpointing Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia and home to Unisa's Regional Learning Centre.
Credit: © Jon Gorr / iStock
Archive: iStock
Type: Graphic

Name: 2004-06: Social media boom begins
Description: Social media has transformed the way we communicate. By 2015, Facebook will have 11,8 million South African users and Twitter will have 6,6 million.
Credit: © Rüstem Gürler / iStock
Archive: iStock
Type: Graphic

Name: 2003: Iraq invaded
Description: A US army vehicle flies the flag of the United States during a stop at the border of Iraq and Kuwait, 19 March 2003.
Credit: © Scott Nelson / Getty Images
Archive: Getty Images
Type: Photograph

Name: 2002: Soweto’s first museum
Description: Photo of street signage outside the Hector Pieterson Museum, Soweto, Johannesburg, September 2014.
Credit: © Gil.K / Shutterstock.com
Archive: Shutterstock.com
Type: Photograph

Name: 1997: Higher Education Act
Description: An 'illegal' school set up by the ANC in defiance of the Bantu Education Act, 1955. The Higher Education Act aims to undo the work of Bantu Education.
Credit: © Drum Social Histories / Bailey’s African History Archive / Africa Media Online
Archive: Africa Media Online
Type: Photograph

Name: 1995-96: Sports victories
Description: Springbok captain Francois Pienaar raises the Rugby World Cup trophy in victory alongside a jubilant Nelson Mandela, Johannesburg, 1995.
Credit: © Grant Leversha / Eimage Agency / Africa Media Online
Archive: Africa Media Online
Type: Photograph

Name: 1994-97: Reforming education
Description: An expert in constitutional law, Professor Marinus Wiechers serves as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa in a newly democratic South Africa.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1994: Genocide in Rwanda
Description: The clothes of genocide victims hang in a Catholic church above coffins containing their remains during the 1994 Genocide, Ntarama, Rwanda.
Credit: © Ben Curtis / AP Photo / PictureNet
Archive: PictureNet
Type: Photograph

Name: 1993: Last Broederbond Vice-Chancellor
Description: Professor Cas van Vuuren joined Unisa in 1964 and occupied various posts in the 25 years before becoming Principal and Vice-Chancellor in 1989.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1992: Horror at Boipatong
Description: Mourners at the funeral of those killed by Inkatha Freedom Party supporters in Boipatong, a township in the then-Transvaal, June 1992.
Credit: © Greg Marinovich / South Photographs / Africa Media Online
Archive: Africa Media Online
Type: Photograph

Name: 1990: Namibia gains independence
Description: UN Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar congratulates new Namibian President Sam Nujoma (left) during independence celebrations, Windhoek, 1990.
Credit: © Alexander Joe / AFP / Getty Images
Archive: Getty Images
Type: Photograph

Name: 1989: World Wide Web invented
Description: Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, stands at a chalkboard where he has written notes on Web development, circa 1999.
Credit: © Andrew Brusso / Corbis
Archive: Corbis via Greatstock
Type: Photograph

Name: 1985: Soviet reforms begin
Description: Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev meets US President Ronald Reagan for the first time at the Geneva Summit, Switzerland, 19 November 1985.
Credit: © Robert Maass / Corbis
Archive: Corbis via Greatstock
Type: Photograph

Name: 1984: Women’s studies arrive
Description: Programme for a 1990 lecture series held by Unisa’s Centre for Women's Studies. The lectures brought academics together from across disciplines.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Document

Name: 1980: Independence for Zimbabwe
Description: Robert Mugabe takes the oath of allegiance to Zimbabwe during the country's independence celebrations in Harare, Zimbabwe, 18 April 1980.
Credit: © Louise Gubb / AP Photo / PictureNet
Archive: PictureNet
Type: Photograph

Name: 1975: Nursing at Unisa
Description: Professor Charlotte Searle, date unknown.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1968: King assassinated
Description: Martin Luther King waves to Civil Rights Movement supporters in Washington D.C. on 28 August 1963, the day of his famous 'I have a Dream' speech.
Credit: © Hulton-Deutsch Collection / Corbis
Archive: Corbis via Greatstock
Type: Photograph

Name: 1967: Early photocopying
Description: Mrs J. Hrazdilek tests the lithographic printing press that was used extensively by Unisa before the first photocopying machine was introduced.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1963-64: The Rivonia Trial
Description: Winnie Mandela (right) and Nelson Mandela’s mother, Noqaphi Nosekeni (left), outside the Palace of Justice during the Rivonia Trial, Pretoria, 1963.
Credit: © Drum Social Histories / Bailey’s African History Archive / Africa Media Online
Archive: Africa Media Online
Type: Photograph

Name: 1961: Fine art department debuts
Description: Photo of Karin Skawran, 1970.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1959: Deeper segregation of universities
Description: A sign erected by students opposing state intervention at the University College of Fort Hare in the wake of the Extension of University Education Act, 1959.
Credit: © Terrence Beard, courtesy of Daniel Massey
Archive: Daniel Massey Personal Collection
Type: Photograph

Name: 1957: Ghana achieves independence
Description: Ghana’s nationalist leader Kwame Nkrumah waves to a celebrating crowd as he becomes the new nation’s first Prime Minister, 6 March 1957.
Credit: © Bettmann / Corbis
Archive: Corbis via Greatstock
Type: Photograph

Name: 1956: A fund-raising chancellor
Description: Dr François Jean de Villiers, 1957. He will remain Chancellor of Unisa until 1977.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1953: Bantu Education institutionalised
Description: Beauty Moroane (right) and these girls are among those arrested in Benoni for defying Bantu Education by participating in an alternative ANC school, 1955.
Credit: © Drum Stories / Bailey’s African History Archive / Africa Media Online
Archive: Africa Media Online
Type: Photograph

Name: 1953: Right-wing leanings
Description: Professor Herman Jean de Vleeschauwer inspects a book in his library, date unknown.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1951: Last colleges fall away
Description: The coat of arms of Unisa and those of its constituent colleges, with the respective dates of their independence from Unisa.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Document

Name: 1951: Bantustans
Description: The first summit of Bantustan leaders, 1973. From left: Chief Buthelezi, Collins Ramusi, Lennox Sebe, Chief Matanzima, Prof Ntsanwisi and Chief Mangope.
Credit: © Drum Social Histories / Bailey’s African History Archive / Africa Media Online
Archive: Africa Media Online
Type: Photograph

Name: 1950: “Group Areas” enforced
Description: The Group Areas Act relied on the pass laws, which required that “non-whites” carry a pass. Here, a woman is arrested for a pass violation, Johannesburg, 1950s.
Credit: © UWC-Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives
Archive: Mayibuye Archives
Type: Photograph

Name: 1947: India becomes independent
Description: Newly independent India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru attends the Constituent Assembly, New Delhi, 1947.
Credit: © Hulton-Deutsch Collection / Corbis
Archive: Corbis via Greatstock
Type: Photograph

Name: 1945: United Nations born
Description: The United Nations Charter is adopted unanimously, San Francisco, USA, 26 June 1945.
Credit: © AP Photo / PictureNet
Archive: PictureNet
Type: Photograph

Name: 1938: Trekking for Afrikaner nationalism
Description: A Boer family celebrates the centenary of the Great Trek, Vegkop, Orange Free State (now the Free State), 1938.
Credit: © Museum Africa
Archive: Museum Africa
Type: Photograph

Name: 1936: ANC founder receives honorary degree
Description: Reverend John Langalibalele Dube was the first President of the South African Native National Congress (later the African National Congress).
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: Z.K. Matthews (left) pictured with Edwin Ncwana on the occasion of their graduation, 1923.
Type: Photograph

Name: 1935: Ethiopia invaded
Description: After a 1934 border clash at Welwel, Italy invades Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) in 1935.
Credit: © Hulton-Deutsch Collection / Corbis
Archive: Corbis via Greatstock
Type: Photograph

Name: 1929: The Great Depression
Description: Jobless and homeless men queue for a free dinner, Municipal Lodging House, New York, 1932.
Credit: © New York Daily News / AP Photo / PictureNet
Archive: PictureNet
Type: Photograph

Name: 1923: First Fort Hare degree
Description: Z.K. Matthews (left) pictured with Edwin Ncwana on the occasion of their graduation, 1923.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1922: The Rand Rebellion
Description: Strikers gather during the Rand Rebellion, Market Square, Johannesburg, 1922.
Credit: © Museum Africa
Archive: Museum Africa
Type: Photograph

Name: 1919: First Pretoria graduation
Description: As Chancellor, Field-Marshal H.R.H. Duke of Connaught and Strathearn would have awarded the honorary degrees at this first Pretoria graduation.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1914-18: The First World War
Description: Headline declaring the start of World War I, Pretoria News, 1914.
Credit: © Museum Africa
Archive: Museum Africa
Type: Document

Name: 1913: First honorary doctorate for a woman
Description: Lucy Lloyd is awarded an honorary doctorate at the age of 78, a year before her death.
Credit: © Special Collections / University of Cape Town Libraries
Archive: University of Cape Town Libraries
Type: Photograph

Name: 1910: The Union of South Africa
Description: The first Government Gazette of the newly established Union of South Africa, 1910.
Credit: © Museum Africa
Archive: Museum Africa
Type: Document

Name: 1886-87: First degrees for women
Description: Since she is a woman, Agnes Ellen Lewis is compelled to study privately for her 1886 BA.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: 1905: Bloody Sunday in Russia
Description: The imperial guard fires on unarmed protestors marching to present a petition to Tsar Nicholas II, 22 January 1905.
Credit: © Hulton Archive / Getty Images
Archive: Getty Images
Type: Photograph

Name: 1873: South Africa's first university
Description: The proclamation establishing the University of the Cape of Good Hope, 1873.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Document

Name: 1869: Kimberley diamond rush
Description: View of Kimberley Mine, 1878.
Credit: © De Beers Consolidated Mines Proprietary Limited
Archive: De Beers Consolidated Mines Proprietary Limited
Type: Photograph

Name: 1867: Dynamite invented
Description: Alfred Nobel, 1885.
Credit: © The Nobel Foundation
Archive: Nobel Foundation
Type: Photograph

Name: 1860: Roots of an Indian community
Description: Indentured Indian labourers cutting sugar cane in the British colony of Natal, circa 1894.
Credit: © Museum Africa
Archive: Museum Africa
Type: Photograph

Name: 1858: Cape examinations centralised
Description: Minutes of meetings of the Board of Public Examiners, the forerunner of the University of the Cape of Good Hope.
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Document

Name: Prof Arthur Wegelin
Description: Prof Arthur Wegelin, Alumnus, Teacher, Leading Composer
Credit: © University of Pretoria Archive
Archive: University of Pretoria Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof A.J.H. Van Der Walt
Description: Prof A.J.H. Van Der Walt, 1893-1872, Principal (1953-1956), Vice-Chancellor (1955-1956)
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Chief Kaiser Matanzima
Description: Chief Kaiser Matanzima, 1915-2003, Alumnus, Bantustan Leader
Credit: © Eli Weinberg / UWC-Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives
Archive: UWC-Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives
Type: Photograph

Name: Ms Nosiphiwo Samente
Description: Ms Nosiphiwo Samente, 1987- , Alumnus, Acclaimed Dancer
Credit: © Christo Doherty / Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaboration
Archive: Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative Collection
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Annet Wanyana Oguttu
Description: Prof Annet Wanyana Oguttu, 1970- , Alumnus, Staff, Leading Legal Expert
Credit: © Annet Wanyana Oguttu
Archive: Annet Wanyana Oguttu's Own Collection
Type: Photograph

Name: Ms Zola Budd
Description: Ms Zola Budd, 1966- , Alumnus, Record-Breaking Athlete
Credit: © Nardus Nel / Getty Images / You and Huisgenoot
Archive: Getty Images
Type: Photograph

Name: Mrs Yvonne Chaka Chaka
Description: Mrs Yvonne Chaka Chaka, 1965- , Alumnus, Philanthropist, Celebrated Singer
Credit: © Chaka Chaka Promotions and Princess of Africa Foundation
Archive: Chaka Chaka Promotions & Princess of Africa Foundation
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Mandla Makhanya
Description: Prof Mandla Makhanya, 1962- , Principal and Vice-Chancellor (2011- )
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Narend Baijnath
Description: Prof Narend Baijnath, 1960- , Pro Vice-Chancellor (2011- )
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Quarraisha Abdool Karim
Description: Prof Quarraisha Abdool Karim, 1960- , Alumnus, Leading Epidemiologist
Credit: © Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa
Archive: Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa
Type: Photograph

Name: Mr Keppler Wessels
Description: Mr Keppler Wessels, 1957- , Alumnus, Accomplished Cricketer
Credit: © Bob Thomas / Getty Images
Archive: Getty Images
Type: Photograph

Name: Mr Sizwe Nxasana
Description: Mr Sizwe Nxasana, 1957- , Alumnus, Business Leader
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Catherine Odora Hoppers
Description: Prof Catherine Odora Hoppers, 1957- , Research Chair, Leading Educationist
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Advocate McCaps Motimele
Description: Advocate McCaps Motimele, 1956- , Council Chairperson (1999-2002), Lawyer
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Teboho Moja
Description: Prof Teboho Moja, 1954- , Council Chairperson (1998-1999), Educationist
Credit: © Teboho Moja
Archive: Teboho Moja's Own Collection
Type: Photograph

Name: Dr Mathews Posa
Description: Dr Mathews Posa, 1952- , Council Chairperson (2003- ), Political Leader
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Rosemary Moeketsi
Description: Prof Rosemary Moeketsi, 1951- , Alumnus, Staff, Forensic Linguist
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Mr Shabbir Banoobhai
Description: Mr Shabbir Banoobhai, 1949- , Alumnus, Celebrated Poet
Credit: © Shabbir Banoobhai
Archive: Shabbir Banoobhai's Own Collection
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Gill Marcus
Description: Prof Gill Marcus, 1949- , Alumnus, Reserve Bank Governor
Credit: © South African Reserve Bank Archive
Archive: South African Reserve Bank
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Antony Melck
Description: Prof Antony Melck, 1949- , Principal and Vice-Chancellor (1999-2001)
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Justice Dikgang Moseneke
Description: Justice Dikgang Moseneke, 1947- , Alumnus, Honorary Doctor, Deputy Chief Justice
Credit: © Gisele Wulfsohn / Getty Images
Archive: Getty Images
Type: Photograph

Name: Mr Mosibudi Mangena
Description: Mr Mosibudi Mangena, 1947- , Alumnus, Honorary Doctor, Minister
Credit: © Mosibudi Mangena
Archive: Mosibudi Mangena's Own Collection
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Louis Molamu
Description: Prof Louis Molamu, 1946- , Registrar (2001-2012), Leading Sociologist
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Barney Pityana
Description: Prof Barney Pityana, 1945- , Principal and Vice-Chancellor (2001-2010)
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Neo Mathabe
Description: Prof Neo Mathabe, 1944- , Pro Vice-Chancellor (2004-2007)
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Simon Maimela
Description: Prof Simon Maimela, 1944- , Vice-Principal (1994-2002), Theologian
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Brenda Gourley
Description: Prof Brenda Gourley, 1943- , Alumnus, Honorary Doctor, Education Leader
Credit: © Brenda Gourley
Archive: Brenda Gourley's Own Collection
Type: Photograph

Name: Mr Hoosain Ayob
Description: Mr Hoosain Ayob, 1941- , Alumnus, Accomplished Cricketer
Credit: © Hoosain Ayob
Archive: Hoosain Ayob's Own Collection
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof D.B.Z. Ntuli
Description: Prof D.B.Z. Ntuli, 1940- , Alumnus, Staff, Celebrated Writer
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Mr Kofi Annan
Description: Mr Kofi Annan, 1938- , Honorary Doctor, World Statesman
Credit: © Robert Wilson
Archive: Robert Wilson Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Marinus Weichers
Description: Prof Marinus Weichers, 1937- , Principal and Vice-Chancellor (1994-1997)
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Dr Neville Alexander
Description: Dr Neville Alexander, 1936-2012, Alumnus, Political Leader
Credit: © Jürgen Schadeberg
Archive: Schadeberg Collection
Type: Photograph

Name: Dr Miriam Makeba
Description: Dr Miriam Makeba, 1932-2008, Honorary Doctor, Activist, Acclaimed Singer
Credit: © Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
Archive: Getty Images
Type: Photograph

Name: Mr Peter Magubane
Description: Mr Peter Magubane, 1932- , Honorary Doctor, Photographer
Credit: © Rhodes University Archive
Archive: Rhodes University Communications and Marketing Office
Type: Photograph

Name: Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Description: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 1931- , Alumnus, Religious and Political Leader
Credit: © Deborah Feingold / Corbis
Archive: Corbis Images via Greatstock
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Jan Van Vuuren
Description: Prof Jan Van Vuuren, 1930-2014, Principal and Vice-Chancellor (1989-1993)
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Mr Ahmed Kathrada
Description: Mr Ahmed Kathrada, 1929- , Alumnus, Honorary Doctor, Political Leader
Credit: © Jürgen Schadeberg
Archive: Jürgen Schadeberg Collection
Type: Photograph

Name: Mr Andrew Mlangeni
Description: Mr Andrew Mlangeni, 1925- , Alumnus, Honorary Doctor, Political Leader
Credit: © Government Communication and Information System, South Africa
Archive: Government Communication and Information System Picture Library
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Catherine Smith
Description: Prof Catherine Smith, 1925-1992, Academic Staff, Leading Legal Professional
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Mr Robert Sobukwe
Description: Mr Robert Sobukwe, 1924-1978, Alumnus, Lawyer, Political Leader
Credit: © Drum Photographer / Bailey’s African History Archive
Archive: Bailey's African History Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: President Robert Mugabe
Description: President Robert Mugabe, 1924- , Alumnus, National Leader of Zimbabwe
Credit: © Thierry Tronnel / Corbis
Archive: Corbis Images via Greatstock
Type: Photograph

Name: President Seretse Khama
Description: President Seretse Khama, 1921-1980, Alumnus, National Leader of Botswana
Credit: © Botswana National Archives
Archive: Botswana National Archives and Record Services
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Es'kia Mphahlele
Description: Prof Es'kia Mphahlele, 1919-2008, Alumnus, Scholar, Celebrated Writer
Credit: © Drum Staff / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
Archive: Eskia Mphahlele Trust
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Willem Joubert
Description: Prof Willem Joubert, 1918-1992, Dean of Law (1960-1968), Educational Leader
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: President Nelson Mandela
Description: President Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013, Alumnus, Honorary Doctor, World Statesman
Credit: © Yousuf Karsh / Camera Press London
Archive: Camera Press
Type: Photograph

Name: Mr Oliver Tambo
Description: Mr Oliver Tambo, 1917-1993, Alumnus, Stateman, Political Luminary
Credit: © Eli Weinberg / UWC-Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives
Archive: UWC-Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Theodoor Van Wijk
Description: Prof Theodoor Van Wijk, 1916-2009, Principal and Vice-Chancellor (1972-1988)
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Charlotte Searle
Description: Prof Charlotte Searle, 1910-2001, Alumnus, Staff, Doyenne of Nursing
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Samuel Pauw
Description: Prof Samuel Pauw, 1909-1974, Principal and Vice-Chancellor (1956-1972)
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Walter Battiss
Description: Prof Walter Battiss, Alumnus, Staff, Honorary Doctor, Artist
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Prof Z.K. Matthews
Description: Prof Z.K. Matthews, 1901-1968, Alumnus, Political Leader, Academic
Credit: © Historic Schools Restoration Project
Archive: Historic Schools Restoration Project
Type: Photograph

Name: Dr Langham Murray
Description: Dr Langham Murray, 1892-1976, Registrar (191934-1953), Honorary Doctor
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Painting

Name: Dr Ethel Doidge
Description: Dr Ethel Doidge, 1887-1965, Councillor (1918-1924), Alumnus, Mycologist
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Ms Mabel Palmer
Description: Ms Mabel Palmer, 1976-1958, University Senator (1929-1948), Honorary Doctor
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Senator F.S. Malan
Description: Senator F.S. Malan, 1871-1941, Vice-Chancellor (1938-1940), Minister
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Rev John Dube
Description: Rev John Dube, 1871-1946, Honorary Doctor, Political Leader
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: Dr Robert Broom
Description: Dr Robert Broom, 1866-1951, Honorary Doctor, Paleantologist
Credit: © Albany Museum
Archive: Albany Museum, History Department
Type: Photograph

Name: King George V
Description: King George V, 1865-1936, Chancellor (1901-1912)
Credit: © Library of Congress
Archive: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington
Type: Photograph

Name: Ms Lucy Lloyd
Description: Ms Lucy Lloyd, 1834-1914, Honorary Doctor, Anthropologist
Credit: © Library Special Collections and Archives / University of Cape Town
Archive: UCT Library Special Collections and Archives
Type: Photograph

Name: Sir Langham Dale
Description: Sir Langham Dale, 1826-1898, Vice-Chancellor (1873-77; 1879-82; 1884-89)
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Photograph

Name: The Honourable William Porter
Description: The Honourable William Porter, 1805-1880, Chancellor (1876-1880)
Credit: © University of South Africa
Archive: UNISA Archive
Type: Painting