Van Riebeeck Society

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The Van Riebeeck Society was founded in 1918 with the purpose of making primary sources available in a readable and enjoyable form to anyone interested in Southern African history. Since then a volume has been published every year, with very rare exceptions. The Society depends for its survival on its members, whose fees finance the publications; and its editors, who have selected and edited the volumes. Society publications have achieved a high academic standard and out-of-print volumes have become valuable Africana.

Our latest publication is the following:

The South African Letters of Thomas Pringle

Edited and introduced by Randolph Vigne

ISBN: 978–0–9814264–2–6

Click here to read the Additional Letters

Soundtrack of interview with Randolph Vigne

2012 Volume

This year’s volume, A B Xuma. Autobiography and Selected Works, will be published earlier than usual. Since June has been voted Xuma month as part of the ANC’s centenary celebrations, we decided to climb on the bandwagon and issue a selection of his writings to coincide with this. Dr Xuma was ANC president from 1940 to 1949 – he took over when the ANC was almost bankrupt and in disarray and he nurtured it back to health during the war years and after. He was finally ousted from its leadership by the young lions Mandela and Sisulu, who felt he was not radical enough. Peter Limb, renowned Michigan State University academic, has edited this selection of Xuma’s autobiographical articles, some of his letters and a good selection of his political and medical writings. Xuma emerges as a charming and likable man, eager to fight for his people’s right to education, fair wages and freedom in the land of their birth. Peter Limb will speak at the Gauteng launch, to be held in the Huddleston Centre - which was Xuma’s house before forced removals evicted him – on 12th June 2012. The Cape Town launch, preceded by the AGM, will be held on 14th June at the Colleges of Medicine building, 17 Milner Street and Peter Limb will again speak on this occasion. See our latest newsletter (no. 40) for map and details. He will also speak at the Bookfair – see below!

Book Fair

We have booked a stand at the 2012 Book Fair to be held, as usual, in the Cape Town International Convention Centre from Friday June 15 to Sunday June 17! Come meet us there at stand P2 in the Small Publishers' Pavilion. Peter Limb will be introducing his A B Xuma at the "Literary Forum" on Saturday 16th June at 12 p.m. LIVE. Be there!

Changed Banking Details

Our Standard Bank branch at Adderley Street has closed down (without warning us). Our new banking details are: Standard Bank, current account, Thibault Square, Branch code 02 0209, Account no 07 051 2035

Paypal

We are happy to announce to our foreign members ONLY that we now have Paypal. To pay your subs (of $45), simply click on the Subscribe button. South African members pay, as usual, by cheque or direct bank transfer (EFT).

South African Letters of Thomas Pringle. Edited and introduced by Randolph Vigne

Thomas Pringle (1789–1834) is remembered as ‘the father of English poetry’ in this country, as leader of the only Scottish settler party in 1820 and as a champion of the freedom of the press. He worked for the relief of the hard-pressed settlers, the emancipation of the Khoisan and protection of the Xhosa on the frontier from retaliatory commando raids. In Cape Town he ran the South African Public Library, edited, with his friend John Fairbairn, the Cape’s first independent newspaper and the bi-monthly South African Journal, and established a successful ‘classical and commercial academy’ until all were brought down by the hostility of the Governor, Lord Charles Somerset. He fought back but, financially ruined, returned to Britain. His papers, sent to Cape Town by his widow Margaret, were lost but surviving letters in other collections here bring to life the character, outlook and South African career of a notable figure in our history. Randolph Vigne has edited this volume most ably. Read about his new interpretation of Pringle's role as settler, press freedom fighter and abolitionist.

2011 AGM and Launches

Read all about these on our Activities page - also about how we had FOUR launches of Thomas Pringle this year!

Facebook

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Extra-special offer for members only – rock-bottom prices!

In order to clear some space in our store room, we have decided to make a special offer to members only: you may order any of the back volumes on the list at a price of R50 post free (within South Africa) – as many copies as you like and as long as stocks last! Contact Cora Ovens to place your orders at vanriebk@mweb.co.za or 021 423 8424 (Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays 9.30 to 13.30 or leave a message when no one is in the office).