GB 0101 ICS 88 - BASNER, Hyman M (1905-1977)

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0101 ICS 88

Title

BASNER, Hyman M (1905-1977)

Date(s)

  • c1930- 1991 (Creation)

Level of description

Extent and medium

5 boxes

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Hyman M Basner was born in Russia in 1905, and moved to South Africa at an early age. He trained as a lawyer, and his case work brought him into close contact with Africans and their plight. He joined the Communist Party of South Africa, but resigned in 1938. He stood for Senate as a native representative against J H Rheinallt Jones, and served from 1942-1948. In 1943 he co-founded the African Democratic Party. He left South Africa after the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, and worked in Ghana from 1962-1966. He died in England in 1977.

Archival history

GB 0101 ICS 88 c1930- 1991 Collection (Fonds) 5 boxes Basner , Hyman M , 1905-1977 , political activist and co-founder of the African Democratic Party.

Hyman M Basner was born in Russia in 1905, and moved to South Africa at an early age. He trained as a lawyer, and his case work brought him into close contact with Africans and their plight. He joined the Communist Party of South Africa, but resigned in 1938. He stood for Senate as a native representative against J H Rheinallt Jones, and served from 1942-1948. In 1943 he co-founded the African Democratic Party. He left South Africa after the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, and worked in Ghana from 1962-1966. He died in England in 1977.

Given by Baruch Hirson, date unknown.

Papers of Hyman Basner comprise manuscripts of the biography "H.M. Basner - 20 Years in South African Politics" by his wife Miriam, the autobiography of A.S. Mopeli-Paulus co-authored with Miriam Basner, Basner's book "The Black Price of Gold in South Africa from 1870-1960" and random chapters from his unpublished autobiography and books on Ghana and "The Union of Smuts and Strydom"; research notes on his time in Ghana and his legal work involving Basutoland/Lesotho and Harrismith; transcripts of an interview of Basner by Brian Willan on South African politics between 1930-1950 and an interview with David Wilcox Bopape; correspondence including those relating to the publication of articles by Basner, political refugees in Swaziland, Connor Cruise O'Brien and Brian Willan and correspondence between Miriam Basner and various others; copies of published articles by Basner and seminar papers by Baruch Hirson and others; bound reports by various departments of the South African government; letters and pamphlets for his election campaign for the Senate and legal and court papers relating to cases Basner was working on (SOME ARE CLOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT) and his imprisonment.

  1. Manuscripts.
    1. Research Notes.
    2. Interviews
    3. Correspondence.
    4. Articles, Seminar Papers and Publications.
    5. Reports.
    6. Election Papers.
    7. Legal and Court Papers.

Open except for records restricted under the Data Protection Act or the Freedom of Information Act. Please contact the University Archivist for details. At least 24 hours notice is required for research visits.

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Special Collections Reading Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.
English and Afrikaans.

Catalogued to file level (see link to repository catalogue).

Tapes of Basner's interview with Brian Willan are held at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London. Original of The Black price of gold in South Africa, 1870-1960 is at the University of Witwatersrand

Compiled by Alan Kucia as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project. General International Standard Archival Description ISAD(G), 2nd Edition, 2000. National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Oct 2001, April 2012 Africa African Democratic Party Apartheid Basner , Hyman M , 1905-1976 , political activist in South Africa Blacks Chemical elements Communist Party of South Africa Ethnic discrimination Ethnic groups Ghana Gold Interethnic relations Metals Precious metals Racial discrimination Racial prejudice Racial segregation South Africa Southern Africa West Africa Inorganic chemicals Chemicals

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Given by Baruch Hirson, date unknown.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Papers of Hyman Basner comprise manuscripts of the biography "H.M. Basner - 20 Years in South African Politics" by his wife Miriam, the autobiography of A.S. Mopeli-Paulus co-authored with Miriam Basner, Basner's book "The Black Price of Gold in South Africa from 1870-1960" and random chapters from his unpublished autobiography and books on Ghana and "The Union of Smuts and Strydom"; research notes on his time in Ghana and his legal work involving Basutoland/Lesotho and Harrismith; transcripts of an interview of Basner by Brian Willan on South African politics between 1930-1950 and an interview with David Wilcox Bopape; correspondence including those relating to the publication of articles by Basner, political refugees in Swaziland, Connor Cruise O'Brien and Brian Willan and correspondence between Miriam Basner and various others; copies of published articles by Basner and seminar papers by Baruch Hirson and others; bound reports by various departments of the South African government; letters and pamphlets for his election campaign for the Senate and legal and court papers relating to cases Basner was working on (SOME ARE CLOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT) and his imprisonment.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

  1. Manuscripts.
    1. Research Notes.
    2. Interviews
    3. Correspondence.
    4. Articles, Seminar Papers and Publications.
    5. Reports.
    6. Election Papers.
    7. Legal and Court Papers.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open except for records restricted under the Data Protection Act or the Freedom of Information Act. Please contact the University Archivist for details. At least 24 hours notice is required for research visits.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Special Collections Reading Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English and Afrikaans.

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Catalogued to file level (see link to repository catalogue).

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Publication note

Notes area

Note

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Institute of Commonwealth Studies

Rules and/or conventions used

General International Standard Archival Description ISAD(G), 2nd Edition, 2000. National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area