"Mbeki began to write a study of the workings of apartheid policy in the reserves - the areas set aside in law for African occupation - as early as 1959 and 1960"

In this quote, Ruth First is talking about the early work of Thabo Mbeki, a South African politician and anti-apartheid activist. She mentions that as early as 1959 and 1960, Mbeki started writing a study on the policies of apartheid in the reserves. These reserves were designated areas where African individuals were lawfully enabled to live, and were typically overcrowded and lacking in resources. By studying the functions of these policies, Mbeki was most likely attempting to comprehend the effect of apartheid on the lives of African individuals and potentially discover ways to challenge and dismantle it. This quote highlights Mbeki's early dedication to eliminating against the oppressive system of apartheid in South Africa.