An example of a reference entry in APA style, highlighting key elements (Author, Date, Title, Source, URL). Mastering such referencing formats is essential for learners and researchers engaging with historical content.
South African History Online (SAHO) encourages all users – especially students and aspiring researchers – to practice proper referencing when using our content or creating original work. Citing sources not only gives credit to original authors but also strengthens the credibility of one’s own writing. To support our community in developing good referencing habits, we recommend the following authoritative guides as starting points for three common citation styles:
Oxford Referencing Guide (Victoria University)
This guide explains the Oxford footnote style of referencing, often used in history and humanities. It covers how to create footnote citations and corresponding reference lists for a variety of sources in the Oxford style.
See: Victoria University Library’s Oxford Referencing Guide for detailed examples and tips.
Basic Format for Footnotes (Web Material):
1 A. Author, 'Title of Document', Name of Website, Place of Publication, Name of Publisher, year, page number (if available), http://url, (accessed Day Month Year).
Examples:
Web Document
1 Frantz Fanon, 'Decolonisation and Violence', SAHO, Johannesburg, South African History Online, 2022, https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/frantz-fanon-decolonisation-and-violence, (accessed 20 May 2025).
Reference List:
Fanon, F., 'Decolonisation and Violence', SAHO, Johannesburg, South African History Online, 2022, https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/frantz-fanon-decolonisation-and-violence, (accessed 20 May 2025).
Website
1 South African History Online, Home [website], https://www.sahistory.org.za/, (accessed 20 May 2025).
Reference List:
South African History Online, Home [website], https://www.sahistory.org.za/, (accessed 20 May 2025).
Blog
1 S. Mhlongo, 'Youth, Culture and Resistance in the 1980s', SAHO Blog [web blog], 10 June 2023, https://www.sahistory.org.za/blog/youth-culture-1980s, (accessed 20 May 2025).
Reference List:
Mhlongo, S., 'Youth, Culture and Resistance in the 1980s', SAHO Blog [web blog], 10 June 2023, https://www.sahistory.org.za/blog/youth-culture-1980s, (accessed 20 May 2025).
Digital Image
1 South African History Online, ‘Photograph of the 1956 Women’s March’ [picture], https://www.sahistory.org.za/image/1956-womens-march-photo, (accessed 20 May 2025).
Reference List:
South African History Online, ‘Photograph of the 1956 Women’s March’ [picture], https://www.sahistory.org.za/image/1956-womens-march-photo, (accessed 20 May 2025).
Harvard Referencing (UK) Guide (Scribbr)
Scribbr’s Harvard style guide (UK edition) provides a quick and clear overview of the author–date referencing system. It includes examples of how to cite books, articles, websites, etc., using Harvard format, and notes common variations.
Refer to Scribbr’s “Quick Guide to Harvard Referencing” for an accessible introduction to this style.
Reference Format:
Author surname, initial. (Year) Title of Page. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).
Example:
Fanon, F. (2022) Decolonisation and Violence. Available at: https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/frantz-fanon-decolonisation-and-violence (Accessed: 20 May 2025).
Blog Example:
Mhlongo, S. (2023) ‘Youth, Culture and Resistance in the 1980s’, SAHO Blog, 10 June. Available at: https://www.sahistory.org.za/blog/youth-culture-1980s (Accessed: 20 May 2025).
APA 7th Edition Referencing Guide (Victoria University)
For those in social sciences or other fields that use APA, this guide outlines the latest APA 7th edition rules. It demonstrates how to format in-text citations and reference entries for all types of sources (from journal articles to online media) according to APA standards.
Consult the APA 7th Referencing Guide by Victoria University for comprehensive coverage of APA citation rules.
Reference Format:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of page. Website Name. URL
Example:
Fanon, F. (2022, May 10). Decolonisation and violence. South African History Online. https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/frantz-fanon-decolonisation-and-violence
Blog Example:
Mhlongo, S. (2023, June 10). Youth, culture and resistance in the 1980s. SAHO Blog. https://www.sahistory.org.za/blog/youth-culture-1980s
By consulting these resources – Oxford, Harvard (UK), and APA 7th – students and researchers can learn to reference correctly and consistently. We encourage incorporating these referencing practices when engaging with SAHO’s materials. Whether you are quoting a biography from our site or drawing information from an article, using the proper citation format will enhance the professionalism of your work and allow others to trace the original sources. Developing strong referencing skills is a vital part of historical scholarship and critical thinking, aligning with SAHO’s educational mission to foster not only knowledge of history but also the tools to study and communicate history responsibly.
In conclusion, South African History Online stands as a dynamic, educational platform at the service of learners, educators, and researchers. Its evolution from a small project in 1998 to a multifaceted public history institution today is a testament to the power of accessible knowledge and collaborative storytelling. SAHO remains committed to its founding vision – bringing history to the people and the people to history – and looks ahead to new ways of supporting history education and research in the digital age. Through ongoing innovation, community engagement, and a steadfast dedication to factual, inclusive history, SAHO will continue to illuminate South Africa’s past and inspire informed action for its future.
Comments