The History Workshop at the University of the Witwatersrand is seeking to appoint two MA fellows to conduct research on the history of Soweto and help build community-based archives documenting the rich everyday experiences of the township’s residents. Despite its prominence, Soweto’s history has not been chronicled in depth and its archives are scattered. Focus areas may be: 

• Any component township of Soweto; sporting and cultural activities; civic and political organisations; biographies; community archives.

 
The scholarships will provide funding for two students wishing to undertake research in this field in 2024. The successful candidates will receive a scholarship of R110 000 and have access to a research budget. They will be registered in a relevant social science department at Wits University and be supported intellectually by the History Workshop.

To apply please submit the following:

• a motivation letter indicating the proposed area of research
• a detailed CV showing your degrees and component courses of study
• an academic transcript
• an example of recent written and/or published work
• names and contact details of two academic referees

 N.B. students must be registered at Wits and apply separately to the academic department that they wish to study in.
 
Applications should be emailed to Nonkululeko Botile: Nonkululeko.botile@wits.ac.za        

Closing date: 15 February 2025

For more information about the Soweto History and Archives Project (SHAP) please visit shap.org.za