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Judge Thumba Pillay Collection Kathrada, Ahmed Mohamed (Kathy) English
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Smuggled Letters - Nelson Mandela and Ahmed Kathrada

2 handwritten manuscripts of letters by Mandela and Ahmed Kathrada. Includes envelope which Jude Pillay posted had posted to himself in case he was questioned as to how he received the letters. Judge Thumba Pillay donated the two letters and the envelope to the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in 2009.

Mandela, Nelson Rolihlahla [use]

Judge Thumba Pillay Collection

  • ZA COM NMAP 2010/9
  • Series
  • 1959-01-01 - 1979-12-31
This series consists of two letters smuggled out of Robben Island in 1977. Mac Maharaj gave them to Judge Thumba Pillay of legal firm of Pillay Seedat & Co. The letters are written by Nelson Mandela and Ahmed Kathrada, both of them wishing to appoint the firm to act on their behalf in legal proceedings against the Department of Prisons. Since the authorities refused contact with their attorneys, they had to use this "illegal" method to seek legal representation. The collection includes an envelope that Judge Pillay had posted addressed to his law firm. He did this in the event that the Security Police questioned him about how he received the letters, he would be able to prove that they were posted anonymously to him.
A second donation of Judge Thumba Pillay contains correspondence and documents (mainly copies) pertaining to the case of Mandela vs Minister of Prisons.

Mandela, Nelson Rolihlahla [use]

Correspondence

Documents and correspondence relating to the case of Nelson Mandela vs Minister of Prisons.

Kathrada, Ahmed Mohamed (Kathy)