Typed statement issued and signed by Nelson Mandela in his capacity as Secretary of the All-in-African National Action Council. The statement expresses disgust at the action of the authorities in closing the Fort Hare and Healdtown educational institutions, thereby victimising students for participating in a peaceful nation-wide protest (being a stay-away which was organised by the Council to coincide with South Africa's becoming a Republic on 31 May 1961). Includes covering note and envelope.
Documentary on Nelson Mandela's struggle against apartheid. Comprises Nelson Mandela's 1962 interview, comments by Barbara Masekela and Neil Barnard, Nelson Mandela's initiative to start negotiations with the Apartheid government, transfer to Pollsmoor and Victor Verster, Nelson Mandela turning down Botha's offer of conditional release read by Zindzi, Anti-Apartheid campaign, and his release from prison.
This series consists of 28 notebooks, 11 folders of notes written on a variety of sheets of paper, in notebooks and diaries by Nelson Mandela. It also includes 2 diaries kept by his secretaries. It contains Nelson Mandela’s handwritten notes from the time of his release until his retirement from politics. There are also desk diaries from the Presidential period. It documents deliberations, personal thoughts, important meetings with heads of state, ANC meetings and communication with comrades, formal and informal discussion with people from all walks of life. Also included are notes received from other people by Mr Mandela.
This series is divided into 2 subseries: I: Nelson Mandela’s 3 passports, including his first legal passport, which was issued on 19 February 1990. II: A copy of the death certificate of Mandela’s mother, Fanny Nosekeni Mandela and 6 Methodist church membership cards (Sunday School).
Audio recordings and transcripts of conversations that Rick Stengel had with Nelson Mandela for the research of Long Walk to Freedom, covering Nelson Mandela's life from 1918-1994.
Interview of Achmat Dangor, the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, for the e.TV program Inside Out on 1. The work of the Foundation 2. The Centre of Memory and Dialogue 3. The 7th Nelson Mandela Annual lecture 4. Nelson Mandela Day 5. 46664 6. Achmat Dangor's work as a writer.
SABC collection consists of some of Nelson Mandela's activities when he was the president of South Africa. The collection is for use by Nelson Mandela Foundation only and cannot be transferred to third parties.
The Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture series invites is considered as the flagship of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The Nelson Mandela Foundation through its annual lectures seeks to promote debate debate and discussions on significant social issues. The lecture series is an important event on the Foundation's calendar, and encourages people to enter into dialogue – often about difficult subjects – in order to address the challenges we face today.
Includes 4 textual items: copy of article "Rivonia: The Story of Accused no. 11 by Bob Hepple, reprinted from Social Dynamics 30:1 (2004); Note by Hepple (papers listed in the note were not received); Document Rivonia Trial - Mandela's comment on evidence of Walter Sisulu and copy of letter by Sisulu to Hepple; Programme of ANC 70th anniversary concert, London. Includes Cantata in homage of Mandela.
Photographic negatives from Mohammed Ismail of Nelson Mandela receiving a Mercedes Benz S500 from Century Motors in Carletonville. Several have been digitised.
Digitised copies of audio interviews conducted by Sam Shakong with Jonas Gwangwa, family, friends, and colleagues for the biography Sam Shakong and Elinor Sisulu are preparing. The draft introduction to the book and several transcripts are included.
Consists of an annotated and signed copy of Mandela’s speech from the dock and carbon copy of the charge sheet from the Rivonia Trial, The State vs Mandela and others.
Sita’s 1963 diary, with additional entries from 1962. Also includes leaflets: “The Group Areas Act & Mr. Nana Sita” (1964?), SA Indian Congress, London; and pamphlets: “I Accuse!” Speeches to court by Nelson Mandela, 1962-1963 trial (origin unknown); “South Africa’s Treason Trial” (1957), “Afrika!” Publications, Johannesburg.
Sita had concealed these documents in a cushion to avoid them being confiscate during raids by the security police at her family home. In 2008, Sita gifted the cushion to Mandela for his 90th birthday stating on an accompanying note that he will find the contents of the cushion interesting. When the gift was received, the cushioned was unstitched revealing the documents.
Lappies Labuschagne gave his life while assisting civilians to evacuate and inspect the premises where a bomb had been planted. The old apartheid flag which had covered the coffin of Lappies at his funeral was given to the family. On the 23rd of June 2022, the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory hosted a handover ceremony and a dialogue Oppressive Pasts & Healing: From Othering to Belonging. During this ceremony, Lourens and Lorato Labuschagne donated the flag to the Nelson Mandela Foundation in exchange for the new South African flag. This was handed to them by the minister of justice and correctional services, Ronald Lamola at the event. Included with the apartheid flag were three honorary medals bestowed on Lappies. Subsequentlye, digital copies of newspaper clippings and condolence letters were also donated mostly written in Afrikaans and a few in English.
1 folder of textual documents consisting of faxes; invitations; lists of things to do; artwork catalogue; correspondence; draft agenda for NEC of 2 June 1992 and NWC of 10 June 1992 and handwritten notes, some in Mandela's handwriting, and some relating to Mandela's 13th Avenue, Houghton home.
Judge Richard Goldstone was appointed as chair of the Commission of Inquiry Regarding the Prevention of Public Violence and Intimidation in Ocotber 1991 by President F W de Klerk, to investigate political violence and intimidation that occurred between July 1991 and the 1994 general election that ended apartheid in South Africa. It became known as the Goldstone Commission.
Digital and textual records of the Transitional Executive Council (TEC), the Conference for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) and the Constitutional Assembly collected by Ebrahim
1. 2 sheets of manuscript (written on both sides) consisting of Mandela's Robben Island autobiography and essays on Black Consciousness transcribed by Maharaj in minute handwriting. 2. 3 sheets and 2 backing boards with notes (written on one side only) by Ahmed Kathrada for secret communication between the ANC and Robben Island. 3. 1 sheet of manuscript (written on one side only) consisting of one paragraph, content and author unknown. 4. 1 photograph of Irene Mkwayi stuck onto a backing board 5. 1 photograph of woman from the Andaman Islands. 6. 2 pages of digital copy of letter by Joey to her father Maharaj, undated.
The collections consists of documents, memorial booklets, pamphlets, photographs and musical sheets of struggle songs. It includes a letter signed by Walter Sisulu and appendices, from the National Action Council of the Congress of the People; several photographs taken during Nelson Mandela's trip through Africa in 1962, in Morroco.
This collection was accumulated by anti-apartheid activist E.S. Reddy and includes Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) reports 1991-1996; copies of press cuttings from American and European papers; copies of United Nations Special Committee on the Policies of Apartheid of the Government of the Republic of South Africa documents; American Committee on Africa, Inc., documents; copies of International Commission of Jurists documents; CDs of O.R. Tambo speeches to the UN; CDs of interview by George Houser, 1954; UN booklet on Nelson Mandela International Day, June 2010; copies of documents and black and white Mandela photos from the International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa (IDAF).
Three prints by and from George Hallett: (a) Mandela on the Election Trail, Athlone Stadium, April 1994 (b) Madiba at his Houghton Residence, April 1994 (c) Nelson Mandela, Cape Town 2000.
Photograph of Nelson Mandela signing the President's Bible during his inauguration, 10 May 1994, Union Buildings, Pretoria, South Africa. Zenani Mandela stands behind him, as well as FW de Klerk and his wife. Signed by photographer William A. Br[?] (illegible).
Mandela- and ANC-related materials from the former Anti-Apartheid Movements in the Netherlands. Included is a large collection of digital photos from the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College (ANC) in Tanzania, as well as some other ‘ANC in exile’ photos, documents, t-shirts, and other memorabilia. The materials were created by the ANC, IDAF, and others.
The collection consists of a report of 3 visits by Dr Jacques Moreillon as ICRC Delegate General for Africa to Robben Island (1973, 1974 and 1975) and his meetings with Nelson Mandela during and after his incarceration. It also includes a manuscript, “Moments with Madiba”; a letter to Mandela dated 25 April 2005; and a brief resume of Moreillon, dated 2009. The report and manuscript cover the period 1963-2004, focusing on 1973 onwards.
Jack Swart was Mr Mandela's warder and chef from 7 Dec 1988 to 11 Feb 1990 at Victor Verster Prison. This collection includes notes by Mandela to Swart, correspondence, photographs, recipes and menus of the food Swart cooked for Mandela, and a manuscript of Swart's life story in Afrikaans. It includes a video clip of the drive from the Victor Verster House to the prison gates that Mandela would have taken on 11 Feb 1990 when he was released.
Resolution of Oakland City Council reaffirming support for comprehensive sanctions against apartheid and declaring End Apartheid Week March 5-11, 1990.
Resolution of the Council of the District of Columbia declaring Wednesday, June 16, 1993 "South African Youth Day" in the District of Columbia, accompanied by proclamation of South African Youth Day in the city of Washington, D.C. by the Mayor of the District of Columbia.
Photos and copy of press cutting of SA High Commissioner to Tanzania, Ms Thandi Lujabe-Rankoe handing over Mandela's financial donation to the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation.
Copies of Len Sak Cartoons in the Sowetan newspaper during the 3 years leading up to the elections in April 1994. Some of the cartoons were used for a virtual exhibition "The Cartoons of Len Sak 1990 to 1994".
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.
Letter of LOTA (Lagere Overheden Tegen Apartheid-- Anti-Apartheid Local Authorities) to Nelson Mandela to congratulate him on his 70th birthday and to inform him of the founding of LOTA.
Copies of documents of the Governor of Lourenço Marques, Mozambique, and one photo of Mandela, stuck on black cardboard. In Portuguese. English translation available.
Following Nelson Mandela’s sentencing on 7 November 1962, the Pretoria Magistrates Court issued a warrant committing him to prison for five years. He had been convicted and sentenced that day to three years for on charges of “inciting to trespass laws” (to strike) and two for leaving South Africa without a passport. It was stipulated that the two sentences were to run consecutively. The second Warrant of Committal was issued by the Transvaal Provincial Division of the Supreme Court of South Africa on June 12, 1964, the same day the judge handed down a sentence of life imprisonment for Mr Mandela and his colleagues, who was convicted on four counts of sabotage in the Rivonia Trial. The first two counts were for contravening Section 21(1) of the General Laws Amendment Act (Sabotage Act) No. 76 of 1962; the third in contravention of Section 11(a), read with Sections 1 and 12 of Act No. 44 of 1950; and the fourth was for contravening Section 3(1) (6), read with Section 2 of Act No. 8 of 1953 (as amended).
Manuscript of the book 'Apartheid's Justice' by George Bizos, including correspondence and research materials. A draft of Joel Joffe's book 'The Rivonia Story' is included.
Manuscripts and transcripts of interviews of Rica Hodgson in the making of her autobiography, Foot Soldier for Freedom. Also includes copies of newsclippings and messages of condolence received by the Hodgson family on the death of Jack Hodgson.
Photos of the preferred site dedication ceremony for the establishment of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital on the occasion of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF) Annual Children’s Celebration.
This collection consists of 12 photographs taken over a period of time, created by several photographers and used by The Sowetan newspaper in South Africa.
The collection is made up of copies of material from Motsamayi Mpho and his participation in the struggle for liberation in South Africa. The collection has the rare 1950s and early 60s collection of newspaper clippings amongst which is a photo of Nelson Mandela in Tunisia and Ethiopia. There are copies of private correspondence. The collection has been organised in the following categories: correspondence, Women's Anti pass Campaign, speeches, pamphlets and publications.
Photographic slide shows produced by Peter Magubane, covering the 1970s - ca. 2000: A. Madiba: apartheid and resistance; with Nelson Mandela since his release with Winnie, Graca, the Sisulus, Oliver Tambo, inauguration, Tutu, rallies B. June 16th: Soweto uprising; with Brenda Fassie’s song Memesa C. 8115 Orlando West: mainly in and around the house; Winnie and the children
23 interviews conducted by Anna Trapido in the making of her cookbook "Hunger for Freedom" a gastro-political biography of Mr. Mandela's journey from his boyhood through his life before and after his imprisonment, to the presidential banquets. It includes some personal and political anecdotes of people who were involved in one way or the other with Mr. Nelson Mandela. Transcripts of most interviews are available as printouts and electronic copies on CD.
Documents accumulated by Sahm Venter from ca. 1984-2002 as part of her work as a journalist as well as a dedicated political activist during the struggle for liberation in South Africa. The documents have been categorised and arranged by the following subjects or formats: Personal papers Organisations / Community based organisations Court cases, Petitions and Appeals Speeches and writings Universities Publications.
Files of the legal firm Frank, Bernadt & Joffe concerning certain legal matters pertaining to its client, Mr. Nelson Mandela, between 1966 and 1990. These papers detail examples of his endeavours to secure rights for prisoners through challenging the legality of acts carried out by prison officers, his opposing of the state's attempt to have him struck off the role of attorneys, family-related matters, etc.
Material collected in the course of preparing the book “Mandela: The Authorised Portrait”: 54 typed interview transcripts; 55 cassette tapes; 9 digital audio mini disks (with interviews); 7 3.5" floppy disks (transcripts), with data transferred to 1 CD. The interviews were carried out by Tim Couzens and Amina Frense in 2005.
The Nelson Mandela Tributes Database consists of tributes, and awards bestowed on Nelson Mandela. It includes tributes, awards and honours he received while in prison, after his release, while he was President of South Africa, during his retirement and posthumously.
The transcriptions contained within this collection encompass all of the roles that Mr Mandela filled both before and during his retirement. This is an ongoing exercise as we continually identify additional speeches made by Mr Mandela. Every speech is verified prior to accessioning.
The Rivonia Trial, arguably the most significant political trial in South African history, generated a vast archive, ranging from the official court records to media coverage of the trial. This database, and the records audit on which it is built, constitutes a first step towards documenting the archive. The need for the database was determined by the fragmentary and scattered nature of the archive.
The archival record relating to the late Mr Nelson Mandela is infinite, fragmentary and scattered, both geographically and institutionally, throughout the world, making it almost impossible to physically locate. The imperative, therefore, is to document this vast resource, facilitate access to it, and promote its preservation and use.
The Mandela Materials Database is a guide to the Mandela archive elsewhere, other than the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory. Both local and international repositories have been surveyed for any material on Mr Mandela to include in the database. The purpose of this database is to point researchers to the relevant repositories holding the actual archival material.
Nelson Mandela has been the subject of numerous documentaries, feature films and news specials. This list is not exhaustive. Any additions or comments would be gratefully received, please reach us via archives@nelsonmandela.org. To see whether the NMF has copies of these films please check the NMF Film & Sound Collection.
Hundreds of books have been written about the late Nelson Mandela in many countries and in many languages. Even more books have covered topics with him as a reference. Still more books, in virtually every genre and about most subjects, refer to him, his experiences and his leadership.
The international movement of solidarity with the struggle for freedom in South Africa was arguably the biggest social movement the world has seen. Virtually every country in the world has a history of anti-apartheid activity, in diverse forms. In many countries, anti-apartheid activities were linked (formally or informally) with local struggles against oppression of many kinds. Most anti-apartheid movements (AAMs) did not restrict their activities to South Africa, but supported liberation movements in Southern Africa more broadly. Besides individual countries, a range of regional and international organisations added their voices to the struggles against apartheid.
What follows is an overview of some of the extant archival records of this extraordinary history. It is a first step towards a more comprehensive picture; it is at this point but a marker.
