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The Spirit of District Six – A poignant photographic and historical record of Cape Town’s legendary District Six before its destruction under apartheid. Richly illustrated with evocative black-and-white photography and accompanied by text by Brian Barrow, this important South African social history title captures the humanity, culture, architecture, and spirit of one of the country’s most iconic communities.
1 in stock
The Spirit of District Six by Cloete Breytenbach is an important and increasingly sought-after work documenting one of Cape Town’s most historically significant communities. Published by Purnell in 1972, this second impression combines striking black-and-white photography with insightful accompanying text by Brian Barrow to preserve the atmosphere and lived reality of District Six before and during the forced removals associated with apartheid-era policies.
District Six occupies a central place in South African social and political history. Once a vibrant multicultural neighbourhood at the foot of Table Mountain, it became symbolic of the devastation caused by forced removals after the area was declared “whites only” in 1966. Breytenbach’s photographs capture ordinary moments, narrow streets, homes, residents, and the emotional texture of a community under threat. The images possess both documentary importance and artistic power, making The Spirit of District Six valuable to collectors of Africana, Cape Town history, apartheid studies, documentary photography, and South African social history.
The minimalist photographic boards themselves have become iconic among collectors of South African photobooks. Copies are increasingly difficult to source locally, especially in complete and presentable condition. The Spirit of District Six remains an evocative historical artefact and an essential addition to collections focusing on District Six, urban history, resistance narratives, and twentieth-century South African culture.
The Spirit of District Six is an excellent reference and display piece for collectors, historians, institutions, photographers, or readers interested in Cape Town’s cultural memory and apartheid-era documentation.
Condition – Very Good
1972 second impression hardcover. Very good overall condition. No dust jacket as issued. Gift inscription in ink to front endpaper. Both endpapers show discoloration and there are tape marks/residue to the inner covers. Boards remain presentable with moderate shelf and handling wear. Binding remains sound and the contents are clean and readable.
