This National Archives Repository (Public Records of Central Government since 1910) of South Africa lists 4 032 documents to do with leprosy in all of their archive repositories and national registers of non-public records. The public records of central government since 1910 list 443 entries. This repository includes amendments to leprosy legislation in 1914 and the Leprosy Repression Bill of 1922. It also includes reports on leprosy patients in Matukaniana (1911), Mozambique (1928), Basutoland (Lesotho) (1928-39), Bechuanaland (Botswana) (1928), and Portuguese East Africa (Mozambique) (1928). There is correspondence with the British Empire Leprosy Relief Association (BELRA), questionnaires, and publications received from them (1924-) and material on Frank Oldrieve’s and Dr H W Wade’s visits to South Africa (1926 and 1931 respectively). There are numerous warrants for the removal and detention of people with leprosy.
There are notices of appointment for leprosy research on Robben Island (1913), plans for a proposed holiday home for European leprosy patients in Mkambati (1948), documents relating to leprosy propaganda work (1931-1947), archives relating to the Catholic Mission Hospital (Caprivi Strip (now part of Namibia) 1931-1940) and documents relating to the treatment of leprosy in the Transkeian territories (1911-1959), Emjanyana (1924-1934), Mkambati (1924-1949), Pretoria (1924-1934), Westfort (1935-1956), and Robben Island (1924-1931). There are records on treatment with Nastin (1910-11), leprosy vaccination (1912), a leprosy investigation conducted by the Indian Medical Service (1911), documents relating to Dr G A Turner who contracted leprosy (1911), and correspondence with the Brazilian Government regarding leprosy. There is a file on rat leprosy (1923) and leprosy surveys of the Union (1935-1952). There are also records of the Leprosy Advisory Committee (1924-1959). In addition there is correspondence with Sir Leonard Rogers (1921-23).
There are also leprosy propaganda films and pamphlets. The National Archives of South Africa also hold the public records of former Transvaal Province and its predecessors. There are 127 entries relating to leprosy. This includes correspondence with the Government of India over a Boer prisoner of war with leprosy; leprosy ordinances and regulations for 1904 and 1907 (including subsequent amendments) for both the Transvaal, Cape of Good Hope (1910), and the Orange Free State (1910). There are records relating to Dr Dyer’s work (1883) and material by Dr Turner on the connection between leprosy in Basutoland and fish eating (1902). There are leprosy reports in the Zoutpansberg district, reports on bacteriological work to do with leprosy (1903) and research data (1907). In addition, there are records associated with Westfort Leprosy Institute.
Entry made November 2001