As head of the Stellenbosch University (SU) Archives based in the responsibility centre of the Registrar, Karlien Breedt serves as gatekeeper of our institutional memory. Her passion for her work – entailing anything from working with documents dating back to 1864, to implementing innovative projects to make both historical and newly created information accessible – was sparked in her youth when visiting libraries and archives locally and abroad.

As we kicked off May commemorating Workers' Day, we dedicate this series of articles to our staff and their important contribution to the University. Read on for our interview with Breedt.

What does your role at SU entail?

As head of the SU Archives, I am responsible for collecting unique and primary sources on the University and its predecessors, Stellenbosch Gymnasium, Stellenbosch College and Victoria College.  We help the University preserve its institutional memory, and also serve as an educational and research facility.

The oldest document in the SU Archives dates back to 1864 and is the first in an almost uninterrupted series of documents and minutes that reflect SU's history.

To ensure a continuous documentary history of our institution, we also provide record management services to the University. This involves the identification and management of records that are created daily and may have historical and research value.

What does a typical day at work look like?

A typical day in the Archives? I'm not sure there is such a thing, but most days involve reading emails, attending to information requests, and working on one or more of various ongoing projects. Daily inspection of the archival stores is a must to prevent pests and mildew, and to ensure that the necessary climate control is working properly. As for requests, these are much like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates … you never know what you're going to get. It might be a simple fact check or involve in-depth research on anything from Council decisions to documentary evidence for pending court cases.

How did your education or past experience prepare you for this job?

During my childhood, we travelled quite a bit both nationally and internationally for my father's research on the French Huguenots. This also involved visiting several archives and libraries, and searching for pieces of information. At the time, I did not consider this the most exciting way to spend my time, but the handwritten manuscripts, books and history of people and places always intrigued me. Before accepting the position as archivist at SU in 2011, I was the librarian at the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij Research Institute for Fruit, Vine and Wine. Although that facility is a specialised agricultural research library, the type of work I did there was closely related to what I am doing now.

What do you enjoy most about your role and working at SU?

The fact that I can work with both century-old manuscripts and new technology to make historical and newly created information accessible gives me great pleasure. Stumbling upon historical information that no-one knew existed also gives me a thrill because you never know whether this could be the missing piece of an information puzzle.

Tell us something interesting about yourself that few people would expect?

Travelling the backroads of South Africa is one of my greatest pleasures, but with the recent increase in the petrol price, this has unfortunately become quite a luxury. I also have a very long bucket list of places I would still like to visit nationally and internationally.

Photographer: Stefan Els