Minutes of the 90^th Annual General Meeting of the Van Riebeeck Society for the Publication of Southern African Historical Documents (VRS) held at the Graça Machel Residence, UCT, Cape Town on Tuesday 4^th November 2008 at 17h00.

1. Welcome and apologies

The Chairman, Prof Howard Phillips, welcomed the approximately 60 members present. Apologies were recorded from the names on the attached list. Professor Phillips apologized for Rodney Davenport’s absence due to a recent operation.

2. In Memoriam

Members stood for a moment’s silence whilst the Chairman read out the list of members who had died since the previous AGM (list attached).

3. Confirmation of the Minutes of the 89^th AGM held on 29^th October 2007.

The minutes had been displayed on the VRS website and copies were available at the AGM as well. Prof Phillips asked that his surname be added in line 3 and in item 2. After these corrections, Arne Schaefer proposed that the minutes be accepted and Dr S. Craven seconded him. Those present agreed.

4. Matters arising from the minutes

None

5. Treasurer’s Report

Mr Piet Westra reported that, as the Auditors’ Report for 2007 showed, the Society’s finances were healthy, notwithstanding the dip in world markets. The auditors were happy with the Society’s record keeping. A mistake in the Auditors’ Report regarding the listing of the Alan Gray investment.would be corrected.

A query arose about the depreciation of the value of the office computer. PW agreed to review the depreciation of office equipment, including the computer, in the auditors’ report.for 2009. It was suggested that it was probably time that a new computer should be acquired.

6. Chairman’s annual report (attached)

During question time after the annual report had been given, Dr S Craven suggested that the world’s universities be circularised and encouraged to join the VRS. Prof Phillips amended the suggestion by proposing that only those universities which had African Studies departments should be circularised. Mr Derksen made a suggestion that more countries south of the Sahara should somehow be canvassed for potential members and that the VRS should display its wares at the Grahamstown and Potchefstroom festivals too. Sandy Shell asked for a round of applause for Professor Phillips’s inspiring leadership. Alan Morris proposed that the annual report be accepted, which Sandy Shell seconded. This proposal was approved by the meeting.

7. Any Other Business

Prof Phillips told the audience that the meeting was being held where it was because the location of the venue had a special connection to Isaac Wauchope: the Wauchope/Mendi memorial (a Sunday Times initiative) had been erected just outside the Residence, on the site where the soldiers of the South African Native Labour Corps had camped before embarking for Europe aboard the Mendi. Special thanks were due to the warden, Mr Salim Nakhjavani and the residence’s manager, Dinah Paulse, for making the venue available to the VRS.

The meeting concluded at 17h55 and was followed by a refreshment break and then the launch of volume 39 before an audience which had been augmented by several special guests. The launch was addressed firstly by Prof Phillips, who also read a message from one of the editors, Dr Jeff Opland, who could not be present, and then by Dr Abner Nyamende, the second editor (speeches attached). The launch was followed by a very successful social function, with plentiful snacks and wine and a visit to the site of the Wauchope/Mendi memorial across the road.

Signed

Chairman

Date