Documented heritage records the unfolding of human thought and events, the evolution of languages, cultures, peoples and their understanding of the world. Historically, narratives about Africa have often been told through external lenses, omitting the authentic voices of its people.
Sabinet has formed a distribution agreement with Coherent Digital to make Africa Commons available in South Africa and the rest of Africa, thereby amplifying authentic African stories through digitisation and dissemination. At the heart of Africa Commons lies an ambitious mission: to bring together Africa’s dispersed heritage in a cohesive digital space.
The 4 core modules of Africa Commons
Africa Commons: South African Magazines contains rare, historical, out of copyright magazines like Drum, Grace, and Township Housewife have been digitised at high resolution, making them fully searchable for the first time. These titles provide a unique glimpse into life in Southern Africa, capturing the vibrancy of local culture from as early as 1937.
Africa Commons: Southern African Films and Documentaries includes over 100 rare films and newsreels from the early 1900s to the 2000s, covering pivotal moments in African history. Exclusive interviews with writers, journalists, and activists further enrich this collection, offering firsthand accounts of historical events.
With over 450,000 digital artefacts curated from 4,500 collections worldwide, Africa Commons: History and Culture represents the largest central access point for African cultural materials. From manuscripts to photographs, it serves as an invaluable resource for students, researchers, and institutions globally.
Africa Commons: East African Newspapers, Magazines and Films provides access to over 100,000 pages of digitised publications from renowned journalist and publisher Hilary Ng’weno’s media company, including: The Weekly Review, The Nairobi Times, and Rainbow children’s magazines.
Unlocking the past
South African Magazines stands out as a cornerstone for preserving and showcasing South Africa’s vibrant historical and cultural narratives. This collection is not just about digitising out of copyright magazines—it is about reconnecting South Africans with their heritage while making these invaluable resources accessible to researchers, educators, and the global community.
The collection features a curated selection of rare, at-risk and/or valuable magazines that date back to as early as 1937. These magazines provide a window into the social, cultural, and political life of South Africa, offering researchers and the public unprecedented access to primary sources that reflect the complexities and richness of the nation’s history.
Key titles include:
- Drum: An iconic publication that became the voice of urban black culture during apartheid, documenting resistance, music, fashion, and everyday life.
- Grace: A lifestyle magazine reflecting the aspirations and challenges of its time.
- Township Housewife: Offering insights into the lives of women in South Africa’s townships.
- High-Note!: A pictorial entertainment magazine focussed on sports, music, and star personalities.
Each magazine is meticulously digitised at high resolution, making it not only visually stunning but also fully searchable. Africa Commons: South African Magazines is invaluable for a wide range of users from academics and researchers studying South African history, culture, gender studies, and media, to educators seeking engaging content for classroom discussions. The collection is valuable to cultural institutions and libraries that want to preserve and share local heritage with communities.
With these magazines, users can effortlessly explore articles, advertisements, photographs, and more—content that was previously locked away in physical archives.
Bridging the digital knowledge gap
Africa Commons gives scholars, researchers, and institutions the tools to rediscover African contributions to history, culture, and global thought. On Africa Commons: History and Culture module, African organisations are encouraged to contribute by uploading their own content, fostering collaboration across the continent. This participatory approach ensures that the module evolves as a true reflection of Africa’s diversity, rather than a static collection.
Africa Commons redefines the role of African heritage in global conversations. By digitising and disseminating cultural materials, the platform highlights the richness and complexity of African experiences. The project aligns with UNESCO’s 2015 Recommendation concerning the Preservation of, and Access to, Documentary Heritage, including in Digital Form, reinforcing Africa Commons’ role in the global knowledge economy.
As Africa Commons expands, its impact will be felt far beyond the continent. It is an invitation to the world to engage with Africa on equal footing, to learn from its stories, and to acknowledge the role of African knowledge in shaping human history. For Africa, this is more than just a resource—it is a change in how the continent is seen, studied, and celebrated.
For more information about Africa Commons and how access its collections, contact info@sabinet.co.za.