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Archival description
Gauteng Rivonia Trial (State v. Nelson Mandela and Others)
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Ruth First Papers

The personal papers of Ruth First
The collection is made up of background material, correspondence and reviews concerning "No Easy Walk to Freedom" edited by Ruth First. Printed copies of Nelson Mandela’s speech at the Rivonia Trial. Drafts of sections of the book, and a typescript of Mary Benson’s statement before the UN Special Committee on Apartheid in 1964, with handwritten alterations. Correspondence, mainly between Ruth First and Heinemann Publishers, as well as clippings of newspaper reviews.
Material on political detention between 1963 and 1970, including a copy of the 1963 Detention Act, a radio script by Mary Benson entitled "Nelson Mandela and the Rivonia Trial," and notes produced by Ruth First. Press releases and conference papers concerning the Symposium on the exploitation of Blacks in South Africa and Namibia, organized by the United Nations in 1978, with observances of the 60th birthday of Nelson Mandela.
Transcripts of interviews with Robben Island political prisoners. Correspondence from friends and acquaintances, and materials from South African newspapers concerning the Rivonia Trial.

First, Ruth

South African Institute of Race Relations

South African Institute of race Relations press clippings 1928 (1940-1970)-1985 the collection has material on the ANC, treason trial, and Rivonia trial. Correspondence with Mandela Family between 1954- 1962; 1964- 1984

South African Institute of Race Relations

Bernstein Hilda and Rusty Papers 1931-2006

Rusty Bernstein's Papers includes personal correspondence to family and comrades, professional documentation relating to his career as an architect and inventor, and a large collection of writing, including drafts and material for his political biography Memory Against Forgetting as well as articles, essays and literature relating to prominent events in the liberation struggle (The 1946 Mine Workers Strike, The Freedom Charter and the Rivonia Trial). The collection also includes written material relating to his political career in the Communist Party and involvement with the ANC and as editor/contributor to journals like Fighting Talk and The African Communist and a lecture series given in Moscow to young militants of the ANC.
Hilda Bernstein's papers include a series of journals dating from 1967 to 2001 and personal diaries written whilst in prison, and on travels throughout South Africa and Europe. A large part of the collection marks her involvement with women's rights and work for the ANC Women's League. There is also a considerable collection of art records documenting her career in London and Europe. The bulk of the collection is comprised of records relating to Hilda's extensive writings - books, articles and political literature. Of particular prominence is material collected for her most recent book The Rift, which captures the experiences of South African exiles. There is also a large collection of correspondence both personal and professional and political brochures relating to her position as City Councillor for the Communist Party in Johannesburg from 1943 to 1946.

The records kept by Hilda (viewed as 'evidence' of Hilda's activities) far outnumber those kept by Rusty. It would be misleading to presume that this is in any way a complete archive of the Bernstein's activities.
On the contrary, there are large gaps. For example, there is very little in the collection relating directly to the Freedom Charter, in which Rusty played a major part in the organizing committee and was responsible for drafting the country-wide submissions that would become the Charter. Consideration should also be made for the possibility that Hilda is a more conscientious record keeper than Rusty was, or that due to persistent banning and arrest Rusty was forced to destroy evidence of his activities or resist the documentation of these activities. In truth, the reasons for the shape of this collection are too numerous and extensive to state. As it stands, the researcher can at best make this deduction - that Hilda's work and influence in the liberation struggle, particularly in the role assigned to woman, is vast and unique, and deserves attention beyond the shadow cast by Rusty's political career. In Hilda's case it is a matter of the biography that has yet to be written.

Hilda and Rusty Bernstein Papers

Joel Joffe

A copy of the book written by Joel Joffe, the Rivonia Story, accompanied by copies of documents in Nelson Mandela's handwriting. The documents include his application for remand in the Pretoria Regional Court on 15 October 1962, and a typed account of his speech in the Pretoria Regional Court.

Joffe, Joel

Nelson Mandela

Handwritten speeches and papers by Nelson Mandela for the Pretoria Regional Court Trial (1962) and the Rivonia Trial (1963 - 1964).
The collection includes further notes by Nelson Mandela for his defence. Application for the remand of the trial. Application challenging the right of the court to try him and his preparatory notes. Notes written by Nelson Mandela and intended to use if sentenced to death.

Mandela, Nelson Rolihlahla

Mandela -196+

English Service Actuality Rivonia Trial- Quartus De Wet/ Bram Fischer/Dr Percy Yutar
Recordings of the proceedings during the Rivonia trial sabotage Trial with actuality by the Judge president Quartus De Wet, the public prosecutor, Percy Yutar and counsel for defence, Bram Fischer. Mandela appears as accused no.1.

RECORDBC 19631203

South African Broadcasting Corporation [DO NOT USE]

Records of the Rivonia Trial

Incomplete set of records of the state vs. Nelson Mandela and nine others. The collection includes the indictment, opening address, statements, evidence, evaluation of evidence and exhibits including photographs. An important section of the collection relates to preparations of the defence. As well as Nelson Mandela, the accused include Dennis Goldberg, Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada, Andrew Mlangeni, Raymond Mhlaba, James Kantor and Elias Motsoaledi.

Criminal Court Case No. 253/1963 (State Versus N Mandela and Others)

Records of the Rivonia trial, State versus Nelson Mandela and nine others. The accused are Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Dennis Goldberg, Govan Mbeki, Ahmed Kathrada, Lionel Bernstein, Raymond Mhlaba, James Kantor, Elias Motsoaledi and Andrew Mlangeni.
The collection includes the indictment, opening address, statements and evidence by witnesses for the State and for the accused. Evaluation of evidence, exhibits including photographs. An important component of the collection includes material confiscated at Lilliesleaf farm in Rivonia, such as Mandela's 1962 diary and other documents in his handwriting, most of them relating to armed struggle. It also includes Mandela's statement from the dock, and the State's concluding address.
A significant part of the collection includes materials used to build up the State's case against the Rivonia Trialists.

Umhlobo Wenene

Records of the State vs. Nelson Mandela and nine others (Walter Sisulu, Dennis Goldberg, Govan Mbeki, Ahmed Kathrada, Lionel Bernstein, Raymond Mhlaba, James Kantor, Elias Motsoaledi and Andrew Mlangeni).

Mandela -196+

English Service Class Actuality Program Rivonia Trial - A short summary of the Rivonia Trial case the verdict and the passing of sentences by Judge president Quartus de Wet.

RECORD BC 19640611

South African Broadcasting Corporation [DO NOT USE]

Radio RSA: English Service

A recording of proceedings at the Rivonia Trial, the State versus Nelson Mandela and nine others, including the verdict and passing of sentences, as well as FW De Klerk's announcement of Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990.

South African Broadcasting Corporation [DO NOT USE]

Phala-Phala FM

Programmes and programme segments broadcast on programmes such as Ndevhetsini and Vhulombe. Includes reports on:
Nelson Mandela's speech at the Rivonia Trial in 1964, and his sentence to life imprisonment on Robben Island; Nelson Mandela's release from prison; Nelson Mandela's biographical history. Debate between Mandela and FW De Klerk in 1990. Tributes at the funerals of Chris Hani and Oliver Tambo. South Africa's political negotiations at CODESA 1 and 2. Nelson Mandela's acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. African National Congress (ANC) election victory in 1994. Nelson Mandela's presidential speeches at the Union Buildings in 1994 and at the second session of the first democratic parliament in South Africa. Progress review of the first 100 days in government of the ANC; The opening of South Africa's parliament by Nelson Mandela in 1995; South Africa's Government of National Unity. Adoption of the new South African constitution. Nelson Mandela's visit to the United Kingdom (UK) in 1996, and his address to the UK parliament. The visits of international Heads of State to South Africa, including Francois Mitterrand and King Karl Gustav XXI. Visits by Nelson Mandela to Mali, Togo, South-East Asia and the United States. The election of Nelson Mandela as the chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in 1996. The opening of Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses in Soweto. The release of the final Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report in 1996. Reports on the infighting within the ANC on Nelson Mandela's successor to lead the organisation. Nelson Mandela's resignation as ANC president in 1997. The farewell function for Nelson Mandela as President, and Thabo Mbeki's inauguration as President of South Africa in 1999.
Nelson Mandela opening the Nelson Mandela National Museum in Umtata. Visits by Nelson Mandela to South African schools. The South African general elections of 2004. Nelson Mandela's speech at the closing of the international AIDS conference in Durban in 2000, and addressing the international AIDS conference in Bangkok in 2004.
Languages: Venda and English

South African Broadcasting Corporation [DO NOT USE]

The Treason Trial and other Trials

Rivonia Trial. The State versus Nelson Mandela and nine others, in the Supreme Court of South Africa Transvaal Provincial Division. The collection includes the Indictment; Annexure and Opening address; State's Concluding Address (part 1 to 4); and Judgment and Sentence.

Supreme Court of South Africa

Lionel Shapiro Collection, 1964, Pretoria: [Set of 7 still images]

The photos are taken on 12 June 1964, the day of the verdict in the Rivonia Trial. Lionel Shapiro took the photos whilst studying at Wits and taking pictures once a week for the student paper. Nelson Mandela leaving court in a prison van, protestors, Winnie Mandela and Mandela's mother.

The collection consists of 4 photographs - LS001: Winnie Mandela and Mandela's mother, Nosekeni leaving court; LS002: June Mlangeni leaving the court; LS003: The trialists leaving court after the sentencing in a prison van. Mandela is the first person on the left in the van; and LS004: A supporter outside the court with placard "We are proud of our leaders".

Shapiro, Lionel