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.
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
Collection of prison artefacts, correspondence, documents and study materials from Ahmed Kathrada's imprisonment (1964- 1989), as well as records from his release reflecting a number of the positions he held in public office and his various interests (1989-2002). Few items from the period prior to his imprisonment. Records related to Nelson Mandela from the prison years include letters to prison officials or Government signed by a number of prisoners protesting on bad condition. Requests to prison officials to spend time with Mandela once transferred from Pollsmoor. Lists of purchases requested by prisoners, signed copy of the Rivonia trial record. References to Nelson Mandela in letters to friends and family, document re Marxism and the ANC introduction by Nelson Mandela in letters to friends and family; documents re Marxism. Records related to Nelson Mandela after their release includes the ANC (especially from conferences, NEC and NWC meetings from 1990's) records on honours and awards received by Mandela including the Nobel peace prize in 1993); records from Kathrada's role as Parliamentary counsellor in the office of the President (especially Mandela' state visit to India in1995) invitations for various events to Mandela or those held for him; newspaper clippings and publications on Mandela
Collection of film and video recordings consisting of distribution prints and master materials (negatives, rushes, sound tracks and trims). The subjects covered include: Nelson Mandela's early views on the objectives of the ANC and the liberation struggle. The reception given to Mandela's rejection of the regime's offer of conditional release, read by his daughter Zindzi to a vast gathering in Soweto on 10 February 1985. Commentary from activists and family members, including Winnie Mandela. Prison conditions on Robben Island including Mandela's cell, the daily routine of hard labour, diet in prison, isolation and Mandela's transfer to Pollsmoor Prison in 1985. The impact of international campaigns for the release of Mandela, including footage of the Free Mandela Campaign Concert held at Wembley Stadium in celebration of his 70th birthday. The collection also includes interviews with Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, Andrew Masondo, Jacob Zuma, Indres Naidoo, Philip Mathews, Mary Benson, Barbara Harmel and Barry Feinberg. It consists of both completed productions and raw footage.
Collection of photographs covering: Nelson Mandela birthday tributes; Campaigns for Nelson Mandela's release from prison; The Cape Town celebration rally after Nelson Mandela's release from prison. Photographers include Benny Gool, Rashid Lombard and Murray Michel.
Collection of news clippings concerning the following: Campaigns for Nelson Mandela’s release from prison (1980- 1989). Nelson Mandela and Robert J. Brown, Nelson Mandela being diagnosed with tuberculosis, his 70th birthday, and the Free Mandela Concert held at Wembley Stadium (1988). The Mandela family (1988- 1989). Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, and worldwide reaction to his release (1990). Speeches and statements by Nelson Mandela (1990-1991). Tours undertaken by Nelson Mandela, including visits to the USA, Canada, Europe, Africa, South America (Brazil, Spain, Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico), the Far East and Australia (1990 - 1991). Victor Verster prison, visits to Nelson Mandela at Victor Verster, and his meeting with PW Botha (1989). Biographical profiles Nelson of Mandela.
An album of photographs of Nelson Mandela, including: Portrait photographs of Nelson Mandela, many of which were taken by Eli Weinberg. There are photographs with Kaiser Matanzima, and of Nelson Mandela together with his son, Thembekile, as well as Nelson and Winnie Mandela on their wedding day. Includes photographs of Nelson Mandela wearing traditional beads, Mandela in boxing gear, at his law office, burning his pass, and in disguise while in hiding from the police as the "Black Pimpernel." (1950s - 1960s). Nelson Mandela after his acquittal at the treason trial, with Essop Pahad in the background. Nelson Mandela addressing the All-in-Africa Conference in Pietermaritzburg in 1961. Photographs are by Joe Gqabi. Photographs of Nelson Mandela with military officers in Algiers, and with Oliver Tambo in Addis Ababa, during his secret Africa trip in 1962. Nelson Mandela in Parliament Square, London, 1962. Photographs by Mary Benson. Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu on Robben Island in 1966.The concert in celebration of Mandela's 70th birthday. The 1988 artist's impression of Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela's release from prison, including a scene of him addressing a mass gathering in Cape Town on the day of his release from prison. Also featured in these photographs are Winnie Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Cyril Ramaphosa. Photographers include Yunus Mohamed. Post-release portraits, some that originates from the International Defence and Aid Fund. Photographers include Pieter Boersma and Piet den Blanken. Nelson Mandela addressing meetings on his visit to the Netherlands in June 1990. Also featured in these photographs are Winnie Mandela and Thabo Mbeki. Photographers include Jan Stegeman, Pieter Boersma and Kadir van Lohuizen. Nelson Mandela being awarded an honorary doctorate at the University of the Western Cape. Featured in the photographs are Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Professor Jaap Durand and Professor Stanley Ridge. Photographs are by Rashid Lombard. Nelson Mandela alongside a mural in Cape Town. Photograph by the Cape Argus. Nelson Mandela on the platform with Tokyo Sexwale and others at an ANC election mass meeting held at the Kwamazizi Stadium, 12 March 1994. Photographs are by B. Bohler. Photographs of Winnie and Zindzi Mandela, including Winnie in traditional dress, her attendance of political funerals in South Africa in 1985, and Zindzi addressing the crowd at a mass gathering at Jabulani Stadium in 1985. Photographers include Alf Kumalo and Gideon Mendell.
Programmes and programme segments broadcast on National Public Radio. Includes reports on the following: Disagreement in South Africa over apartheid crimes. Judges at South Africa’s new Constitutional Court being sworn in by Nelson Mandela. Winnie Mandela being fired from the cabinet of the South African government. Local government elections in South Africa. Nelson Mandela calling for sanctions against Nigeria, in the light of political executions. Openings of the South African parliament. The marital divorce of Nelson and Winnie Mandela. South Africa’s adoption of a new constitution and Nelson Mandela signing of the new constitution into law. Nelson Mandela’s involvement in the Zairian peace talks. FW De Klerk’s resignation from the National Party. Nelson Mandela stepping down as the president of the African National Congress (ANC). President Bill Clinton’s visit to South Africa, and his visit with Nelson Mandela to Robben Island. Reports that Mandela was the target of a poison plot. Nelson Mandela’s 80th birthday celebrations and his marriage to Graca Machel. The awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to Nelson Mandela. Addresses by Nelson Mandela to the United Nations. The final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Preparations for the 1999 South African general elections. Nelson Mandela’s final speech to the South African Parliament, before his retirement from politics. Political profiles of Nelson Mandela. The inauguration of Thabo Mbeki as the new President of South Africa.
Collection of documents including correspondence, newsletters, pamphlets, press clippings, memoranda and media releases. The subjects covered include: Biographical material on Nelson and Winnie Mandela. Robben Island. Nelson Mandela's health during his imprisonment, and calls for independent medical treatment. Petitions and campaigns for Nelson Mandela's release from prison. US House Resolution 430 entitled, "The Mandela Freedom Resolution," submitted by Geo W. Crockett Jr., Hamilton Fish Jr., Claude Pepper and Jim Leach, calling for Nelson Mandela's release from prison. Prison conditions. The work of the International Anti-apartheid Movement, particularly the Free South Africa Movement (USA). International tributes, such as the Nelson Mandela bust on Trafalgar Square (London) and the statue at Merrion Square (Dublin). Honorary degrees conferred on Mandela. Seventieth birthday tributes. Nelson Mandela's release from prison in February 1990, and his visit to the US later that year. The International Reception Committee, established to welcome Nelson Mandela after his release from prison. Marches and rallies held in the US celebrating his release from prison. Nelson Mandela's address to the US Congress, and remarks made to newspaper editors and writers in the US on the new South Africa. Political negotiations, the future of sanctions, the reasons for his release from prison and the armed struggle. Speeches, statements and articles by Mandela. The list of correspondents includes Dennis Brutus, John Fiordelisi, Randall Robinson, Archbishop Trevor Huddleston and Geo W. Crockett Jr. News clippings are from the Boston Sunday Globe, Chicago Sunday Times, Chicago Tribune, Ebony Magazine, New York Post, New York Times, State News and USA Today.
