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Archival description
Rivonia
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National Archives United Kingdom

Closing case against Nelson Mandela (includes information that Mr. L.J. Blom-Cooper from Amnesty saw the magistrate leaving for lunch with the Security Branch in their car. This led to Nelson Mandela to call the magistrate to recuse himself from the trial but he refused. Confidential report from the British embassy. ( 26 October1962). Nelson Mandela's trial. Report from British embassy. Arrest of Nelson Mandela (including biographical details)
Report from the British embassy, Pretoria to the Foreign office, London.

British Embassy, Pretoria

National Archives United Kingdom

David Astor correspondence to the British Ambassador Sir John Maud thanking him for helping him to get the books to Nelson Mandela (13 October 1962.) John Maud’s correspondence to David Astor confirming receipt the of Nelson Mandela letter's receiving the books (4 October 1962). Enclosed is a receipt from Nelson Mandela for the books (2 October 1962). Hand written note from Nelson Mandela confirming that he received the books via the embassy (14 September 1962). Correspondence from the resident commissioner , Mafikeng to the High commission, Cape Town. Nelson Mandela travels ( 20 January 1962). Correspondence from the High Commission in Cape Town to the Secretary of State Colonies. Arrival of Mandela in Lobatse and a charter to fly him to Tanganyika paid by a bank in Dar es Salaam (22 January 1962)

Astor, David

National Archives United Kingdom

Death sentence in Rivonia trial "unlikely"
Note (4 June 1964)
Upcoming judgment and sentence in the Rivonia trial
Note (2 June 1964)
The Australian representative to South Africa has been instructed to register his government's concern over the Rivonia trial.
Note (9 June 1964)
U.K. should abstain in the vote on the Rivonia resolution by Ivory Coast and Morocco unless is amended ( Add as that America will also abstain)
Note ( 10 June 1964)
Verdicts in the Rivonia trial
Telegram (11 June 1964)
Analysis of evidence at the Rivonia trial
Report ( 10 June 1964)
Decision to defer any attempt by the U.S. to get a reduction in Rivonia trail sentences until the defence has lodged an appeal.
Note ( 14 June 1964)
Unsigned copy of the Rivonia trial judgment
Judgment: Rivonia trial (15 June 1964)

National Archives United Kingdom

The Summary of the opening of the trial against Neville Alexander et all. Report (13 November 1963)
The escape of Bob Hepple. Telegram ( 28 November 1963. Prison conditions with affidavits from Bernstein, Goldberg, Motsoaledi, Mbeki, Kathrada and Sisulu. Report (21 November 1963. Rivonia trial Newspaper articles (November 1963). Note from Mitford to the British consulate general requesting for political trials that might seriously affect the Rivonia trial closely monitored. Note ( 5 December 1963). Visit by John Arnold Q.C. a leading conservative barrister in London ( includes a summary of proceedings). Report (13 December 1963). Arrest, assault and torture of Isaac Tale of the ANC at the hands of security police who wanted him to testify against the Rivonia accused. Police claimed to him that Joe Slovo bought Nelson Mandela and Sisulu with money from the communists. Report/Affidavit ( no date) Report of John Arnold Q.C. at the international commission of Jurists on his visit to South Africa and includes a comment that he believed the Rivonia trial judge was fair and partial. Report (16 December 1963). Rivonia trial. Various news articles ( December 1963)

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.

Files of United Nations Secretary-General, U Thant

Files of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, U Thant, including:
Correspondence from U Thant to Mr. Souleymane Ould Cheikh Sidya (Chairman of the Afro-Asian Group and permanent representative to the UN) about the arrest of Nelson Mandela by the South African government and the response received by U Thant from the South African government that the matter essentially falls within the jurisdiction of the Republic of South Africa and that it is not accountable to the UN, 1962.
Statements by anti-apartheid leaders about the racial policies of the South African government, including a statement by Nelson Mandela (quoted in the South African House of Assembly by Helen Suzman), Yusuf Dadoo and Duma Nokwe, 1963. Notes on the forthcoming discussion on the South Africa question in the Security Council by ES Reddy, including the expectation of death sentences for Nelson Mandela and other Rivonia Trialists, and the role of the UN beyond the Rivonia Trial, 1964.
Notes on the Rivonia Trial, and a Security Council discussion on the South African question, with references to the adoption of the resolution on South African prisoners and the Rivonia Trial, a proposal for a separate emergency draft resolution on the Rivonia Trial, possible repercussions of death sentences in the Rivonia Trial, the advantages of adopting a resolution in advance of the sentences, the possibility of death sentences for Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and at least three other accused, Nelson Mandela and Sisulu reported to be disinclined to appeal their sentences with the implication that the time available for external pressure would be limited, and the possibility of long prison terms, 1964.
A memorandum from ES Reddy (Principal Secretary, UN Special Committee Against Apartheid) to Vladimir Suslov (Under-Secretary General for Political and Security Council Affairs), enclosing a copy of a statement made by Chief Albert Luthuli on the Rivonia Trial, to be released immediately after the sentencing of the Rivonia Trialists, 1964. A letter addressed to Mr. Matthys I. Botha, South African representative to the UN about the death sentences imposed on Vuyisile Mini, Zinakile Mkaba and Wilson Khayinga, and the threats of the same penalty being imposed on other political Trialists, 1964.
A press statement issued by South African Prime Minister, HF Verwoerd concerning the sentences passed in the Rivonia Trial, 1964.

U Thant

Files of United Nations Secretary-General, U Thant

Files of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, U Thant, include:
UN press statement calling for the abandonment of the Rivonia Trial and the release of leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu. Letter from Chief Albert Luthuli, President of the African National Congress, sent to the UN Secretary-General, U Thant, about the South African crisis. Albert Luthuli's letter refers the Rivonia Trial and the danger that some or all of the accused could be given the death sentence, and requests that the UN help to save the lives of the Rivonia Trialists. Statement by the UN Special Committee against Apartheid, with reference to the Rivonia Trialists. A record of the 1128th meeting of the UN Security Council, with commentary from Mr. such, the Chinese representative, saying that the Rivonia accused are "on their way to becoming apartheid martyrs." International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) memorandum about relief for the victims of political persecution in South Africa, with reference to the ongoing Rivonia Trial of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and others.

U Thant

Files of United Nations Secretary-General, U Thant

Files of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, U Thant, including:
The General Assembly Resolution 1761 (XVII) of November 1962, requesting that the South African government abandon all arbitrary trials and release all political prisoners. The General Assembly Resolution A/RES/1881 (XVIII) on the policies of apartheid of the government of South Africa, with reference to reports of the upcoming Rivonia Trial, with the possibility of death sentences for a large number of prisoners, 1963. Notes on the question of apartheid in South Africa, including a review of recent UN proceedings that call for the release of all political prisoners, 1964. Security Council resolutions calling for the release of all political prisoners, 1963 - 1964. Security Council resolution S/5761, calling for the ending of the [Rivonia Trial], and the granting of amnesty to all political prisoners and detainees, particularly the defendants in the Rivonia Trial, 1964.

U Thant

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

Comite' Zuid-Afrika

Correspondence, memoranda, campaign materials and lists. The collection includes:
Correspondence between the Comite Zuid-Afrika and the African National Congress (ANC) London office concerning the Rivonia Trial and pressure being placed on the Dutch government to condemn the trial. Campaigns for the release of the Rivonia Trialists, and about 5000 political prisoners in South Africa. Open letter by the Anti-apartheid Movement, soliciting support from abroad for those under house arrest in South Africa, and encouraging that letters of support is sent to Nelson Mandela and Robert Sobukwe at Pretoria Central Prison (1962).
The collection also includes:
References to the Freedom Charter and the Congress of the People. List of South Africans under house arrest, together with the conditions of their five-year banning orders. They include Helen Joseph, Ahmed Kathrada, Walter Sisulu, Jack and Rica Hodgson, Jack Tarshish, Brian and Sonia Bunting, Roley Arenstein, Michael Harmel, Moses Kotane, Lionel Bernstein, Alfred Nzo, Thomas Nkobi, MacDonald Maseko, Duma Nokwe, Cecil Williams and Alex La Guma. Correspondence from Karel Roskam to Christian Action concerning the raising of funds in the Netherlands for the Defence and Aid Fund set up by Canon Collins (1959 - 1960).

Comite Zuid-Afrika

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 [use]

Files of United Nations Secretary-General, U Thant

Files of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, U Thant, including:
UN Security Council resolutions on decolonisation and apartheid, many of which call for the release of all South African political prisoners, 1964 - 1965. UN Special Committee Against Apartheid recommendations to the Security Council, including calls for the release of all political prisoners, 1962 - 1969. A report to the Secretary-General by the Expert Group on South Africa, with reference to opposition to South Africa being constituted as a republic, and Nelson Mandela's role in the call for a nationwide stay-at-home strike as a means of protest. Nelson Mandela's renewal of the call for a national convention, following the call made at the All in Africa Conference of African Leaders (Pietermaritzburg, 1961), and a quote by Nelson Mandela against racism from his 1962 trial, 1961 - 1964. The text of a letter from Mary Benson to the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid enclosing a statement made by Abram Fischer, Q.C., with reference to the Defiance Campaign, Congress of the People, Treason Trial, Nelson Mandela in hiding, the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the purchasing of the Lilliesleaf Farm and the Rivonia Trial, 1966.

U Thant

Norwegian Action Against Apartheid

Correspondence, memoranda, newsletters, pamphlets, reports, publications and other campaign materials concerning:
The World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners (1964 - 1967). The Rivonia Trial, and a call to save South Africa's resistance leaders, including Nelson Mandela, from the death penalty. Nelson Mandela's statement from the dock at the Rivonia Trial, translated into Norwegian.
Amnesty International reports on prison conditions in South Africa (1965).

Norwegian Action Against Apartheid

Files of United Nations Secretary-General, U Thant

Text of Resolution 2 (XXIII) as adopted by the United Nations (UN) Commission on Human Rights at its 914th meeting on 06 March 1967, including a request that statements delivered by Nelson Mandela at the Rivonia Trial, and by Bram Fischer in his recent trial, be given the widest publicity.

U Thant

Files of United Nations Secretary-General, U Thant

Files of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, U Thant, include:
Text of a statement by Achkar Marot, the representative of Guinea, to the UN, refers to Nelson Mandela's imprisonment on Robben Island. Response by the South African government to two articles published in the "UN Monthly Chronicle," which discusses the South African government's position on the Rivonia Trial, including Nelson Mandela's statement from the dock. The conclusion and recommendations of the International Seminar on Apartheid, Racial Discrimination and Colonialism in Southern Africa held in Kitwe, Zambia (1967). The conference recommended special campaigns around the incarceration of outstanding leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Robert Sobukwe and Bram Fischer.

U Thant

Brian Bunting Collection

Correspondence, pamphlets, newsletters, publications and press statements concerning the following:
The Rivonia Trial, including a summarized version of Nelson Mandela’s defence statement at the trial and the script of a radio broadcast on the Rivonia Trial (36 min.) (1964 - 1975). The World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners, and a summary of support for the campaign (1964). The persecution of Winnie Mandela (1971). Political prisoners in South Africa (1975). The Treason Trial, including schedules C and D of the indictment, a list of the accused and their association with certain speeches, gatherings and publications (1956 - 1961). Biographical profiles of Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Andrew Mlangeni, Raymond Mhlaba, Dennis Goldberg, Walter Sisulu, Lionel Bernstein, Elias Motsoaledi and Ahmed Kathrada. Appeals for the release of Nelson Mandela including an appeal to the people of South Africa smuggled out from Robben Island, with an introduction from Oliver Tambo (1980). A copy of the international declaration for the release of Nelson Mandela, initiated by Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, as well as a list of signatories to the declaration (1981). The Sunday Post campaign for Nelson Mandela’s release(1980 - 1981). United Nations notes on the Release Mandela Campaign, a statement by Chief Albert Luthuli on the sentencing of the Rivonia Trialists (1964), extracts from an address by H.E. Mr. B Akporode Clark to non-governmental organisations at UN headquarters (1980), biographical profiles on Nelson Mandela, and the Free South African Political Prisoners Campaign (1980). A survey of events and actions in honour of and for the release of Nelson Mandela, prepared by the British Anti-Apartheid Movement, October 1984. Observances of Nelson Mandela’s 60th birthday (1978).
The collection also consists of bound volumes of Spark, Guardian and New Age newspapers, for which Brian Bunting served as editor. They include newspaper reports on Nelson Mandela’s 1962 Africa trip showing photographs of Nelson Mandela together with Oliver Tambo in Algeria, Nelson Mandela’s tour of Algerian army camps and headquarters together with Robert Resha, Nelson Mandela meeting with Tunisian government representatives, and Nelson Mandela together with Colonel Tadenesse Biru in Ethiopia.

Bunting, Brian Percy

National Security Archive Declassified Document Set

Memoranda, reports, statements, cables and project statements covering the following:
United States Embassy (South Africa) reports that the African National Congress (ANC) was created to carry out sabotage, stating that the arrest of Nelson Mandela occurred after he planned subversive activities (1962). A memorandum issued by the Summit Conference of Independent African States held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (1963), agreeing to provide funding to help South African liberation movements and calling for the release from prison of Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe and all other political prisoners. A memorandum on the Rivonia Trial providing biographical information on the Rivonia Trialists, and in which Nelson Mandela argues that opposition groups resorted to armed struggle only after avenues for peaceful change were blocked (1964). A report in which ANC and Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Michael Harmel and Walter Sisulu are described as Communists, and documents presented during the Rivonia Trial are cited as evidence of the contacts between the ANC, PAC, the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the Communist Party of the People's Republic of China (1964). A memorandum of conversation in which Cecil Eprile characterises black leaders like Nelson Mandela as careless and prone to bad judgment (1965). A cable relating to Resolution 473 of the United Nations Security Council urging South Africa to release all political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela (1980). Biographic sketch information on Nelson Mandela provided by the US Department of State (1983). A cable on the awarding of the international Simon Bolivar prize to Nelson Mandela by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) (1983). Correspondence to the South African Ambassador to the United States, calling for the release of Nelson Mandela (1984). A cable about the Johannesburg Star Newspaper reports that the arrest of Nelson Mandela 25 years ago occurred after he was betrayed by a US Central Intelligence Agency agent posing as a diplomat of the United States Consulate General in Durban (1986). A statement in which Chester A. Crocker calls for the release of Nelson Mandela (1986). A report in which the US Department of State Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on South Africa asserts that the first steps taken by South Africa must be the release of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and all other political prisoners (1987).

US State Department

South Africa Conspiracy Trial

Copies of records of the Delmas Treason Trial. Members of the 22 accused included Baleka Kgositsle, Popo Molefe, Patrick "Terror" Lekota and Moses Chikane. The records include references to, and police reports on the Release Mandela Campaign of the 1980s, Rivonia, and campaigns for the release of Nelson Mandela and all political prisoners. The records also include state prosecution assessments of witness statements.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Photographs and Prints Division)

Mary Benson Papers

The personal papers of Mary Benson. The collection includes:
Nelson Mandela’s statement from the dock at the Rivonia Trial. Correspondence, reports and statements about the treatment of political prisoners in South Africa; Reports by the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) and Amnesty International. Attempts to publicise the conditions of prisoners, particularly Nelson Mandela, and information about the medical treatment of prisoners.
Papers related to Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment, collected by Benson when writing her biography of Mandela, "Nelson Mandela: the Man and the Movement."
Correspondence between Mandela and Mary Benson and between Benson and others people mainly related to Mandela and campaigns for his release from prison. Correspondents include Helen Suzman, Elinor Birley, Hilda Bernstein, Oliver Tambo, Winnie Mandela, Denis Healey and Ismail Ayob.
Typed notes on Mandela and other prisoners, as well as lists of political prisoners. News clippings concerning Mandela, mainly from British newspapers. Includes reports on the dropping of negligence charges against Mandela in 1967.

Benson, Mary

African National Congress records in Tanzania

African National Congress (SA). Proceedings of the ANC 48th National Conference 1991. Statement of the deputy president of the African National Congress at the opening of the ANC National Conference July 1991. Strategy and tactics document. Rebuilding the organisation- document. Closing address of Nelson Mandela

African National Congress (ANC)

Oliver Tambo Papers

The personal papers of Oliver Tambo. The collection includes:
News clippings from South African and international newspapers concerning the arrest of Nelson Mandela in 1962, his court appearances, and calls for his release from prison (1962 -1988). Correspondence concerning the PAFMECSA conference held in Ethiopia addressed to all member governments, a letter from the ANC London office concerning the arrests of Mandela and Walter Sisulu, and a cable from the Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs to Tambo re: Mandela’s arrest (1962). News clippings in the build up to and aftermath of Mandela’s release from prison (1990 - 1991). News clippings, programmes and itineraries concerning Mandela’s visits to the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, India, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Geneva, Botswana and other countries (1990 - 1991).
Reports on campaigns for the release of political prisoners, including reports from Robben Island, and on Lord Nicholas Bethel's meeting with Mandela. Also includes a 1970 report by Mandela about prison conditions on Robben Island (1970 - 1989). Correspondence from Mandela, written from Pollsmoor Prison, to Oliver Tambo and a number of other individuals. Original letters to Tambo, as well as transcripts of letters written to Nthato Motlana, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Sheila Weinberg and Desmond Tutu, amongst others. Also included is a letter of thanks to Mrs. Bhalla of the Indian Council for the 1979 Jawaharlal Nehru Award and a letter of sympathy on the death of Seretse Khama (1978 - 1989). Media reports concerning Mandela, including cables. Includes reports by Radio RSA, internal media monitoring, an African National Congress (ANC) statement on Mandela’s health, and of a visit to Mandela by Robert Brown (1985 - 1990). Correspondence, reports and messages concerning international support for Mandela’s release from prison. Subjects covered include tributes on his 60th and 70th birthdays, and awards and honours conferred on Mandela, particularly through the work of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement (1984).
Statements and correspondence concerning the assassination of Chris Hani (1993). Video recordings of various events before and after Mandela’s release from prison. These include the 1990 Free Mandela Concert at Wembley Stadium and Mandela’s 1990 visit to Lusaka (1988 - 1990).
Correspondence, lists and statements by Oliver Tambo concerning awards and honours conferred on Mandela. These include honorary degrees, Freedom of the City awards, artistic attributes and facilities named after Mandela. The correspondence is primarily between Oliver Tambo and heads of / representatives of awarding countries and institutions. The awards include the Simon Bolivar Prize, the naming of a road in Mandela’s honour in Botswana, and awards conferred by the Sandinista National Liberation Front of Nicaragua, the Jamaican Human Rights Organisation, the University of Carabobo of Venezuela, and the Karl Marx University of the German Democratic Republic (1983 - 1990). Correspondence and statements concerning international calls for, and, Mandela’s release from prison. These include correspondence about a resolution passed by the African Symposium on African Orality in Nigeria, and a statement by the president of the Republic of Senegal after Mandela’s release. Other correspondents include Senator Michael J Williams of Trinidad and Tobago, OJ Masire of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), and the Communist Party of Sweden (1989 - 1990). Correspondence from Tambo to Mandela and to the Mandela family (1991 - 1992).

Speeches delivered in Mandela’s honour.
Drafts of plays and books written about Nelson Mandela, the drafts include No Easy Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela and the Rivonia Trial and What is to be done’.
Published and unpublished statements and speeches of Mandela, 1962 - 1991.
Correspondence and memoranda relating to the Nelson Mandela National Reception Committee (1989 - 1990).
Biographical

Tambo, Oliver Reginald

Govan Mbeki Papers

The personal papers of Govan Mbeki, including:
Part one of the State’s concluding address at the Rivonia Trial. A memorandum concerning prison conditions on Robben Island. Nelson Mandela’s 1996 address to the British parliament. Supreme court: Govan Mbeki and Nelson Mandela
Mandela visit to Tanzania 1990

Mbeki, Govan Archibald Mvuyelwa