Rand Daily Mail Archive (1902-1985) Quintessential reporting on at the height of the era

Photo by Nagarjun Kandukuru Quick Facts Acclaimed newspaper contains a wealth of unique perspectives within its reporting on the 20th century in South Africa First newspaper to openly oppose apartheid and contribute to its downfall Fully searchable articles, advertisements, editorials, cartoons, and photographs illuminate South African history

“The digitization of the Rand Daily Mail shows how far South Africa has come since the abolition of apartheid. Making 83 years of history internationally accessible online allows us to share a more accurate and complete picture of South Africa, while also celebrating the bravery and integrity of the journalists during those tumultuous years.” — Mike Robertson, Former Managing Director of Times Media

Overview The Rand Daily Mail, a daily, is a critically important title that pioneered popular journalism in South Africa. It is renowned today for being the first newspaper to openly oppose apartheid and contribute to its downfall. A noble venture From its early beginnings in 1902, the Rand Daily Mail was known for its controversial yet courageous journalism. Despite significant pressure from the conservative government, its writers openly addressed issues that white readers knew little about. Now, decades later, this critically acclaimed title—and its wealth of unique perspectives on 20th century South Africa—is being offered as a fully searchable online resource containing articles, advertisements, editorials, cartoons, photographs, and more. A focus on freedom The Rand Daily Mail is of great value to scholars, opening exciting new pathways to research a turbulent period in history. It’s archives are rich with insight into events related to South Africa’s struggle for freedom and democracy, each covered in fascinating detail by a group of daring and talented journalists: In 1960, Benjamin Pogrund covered the ; in 1976, Helen Zille uncovered Steve Biko’s murder at the hands of police while in their custody; in 1978, Mervyn Rees and Chris Day broke the news about the apartheid state trying to influence opinion, an exposé that sparked the “information scandal” (also known as “Muldergate”), etc. Rand Daily Mail continued to be popular among more progressive readers until—after adopting an outspoken anti-apartheid stance amidst a massive clampdown by security forces—it was controversially closed in 1985. A complement to a complete collection The addition of the Rand Daily Mail enhances NewsBank’s South African News Archive, the largest collection of South African historical and current newspapers from 1798–today. With searchable, full-text coverage from 1905 through 1985, users will be able to search all of the newspaper’s articles, as well as advertisements, editorials, cartoons, and photographs that illuminate South African history in unprecedented ways. Moreover, by making it cross-searchable with the other historical and current South African newspapers in NewsBank’s South African News Archive, researchers can easily perform comparative historical analysis.

For more information on this and other NewsBank collections, call 800.762.8182, email [email protected] or visit www.newsbank.com

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