Collection 357 - Ahmed Kathrada

Identity area

Reference code

ZA UWCRIMA MR-MM-357

Title

Ahmed Kathrada

Date(s)

  • 1954-2002 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

116 boxes

Context area

Name of creator

(08 August 1929 - 28 March 2017)

Biographical history

Anti-apartheid activist, politician, political prisoner and MP. Leading member of the ANC and of the SACP. Founding member of the Transvaal Indian Volunteer Corps and its successor, the Transvaal Indian Youth Congress. Imprisoned for one month in 1946 for his participation in the SAIC’s Passive Resistance Campaign against the Asiatic Land Tenure and Indian Representation Act. Convicted for his participation in the 1952 Defiance Campaign. Banned in 1954. Co-organiser of the Congress of the People and a member of the Congress Alliance General Purpose Committee. Detained during the 1960 State of Emergency. One of the last twenty-eight accused in the Treason Trial acquitted in 1961. Placed under house arrest in 1962. Arrested at Liliesleaf Farm in July 1963 and charged with sabotage in the Rivonia Trial. Imprisoned on Robben Island, 1964–82, then Pollsmoor Prison until his release on 15 October 1989. MP from 1994, after South Africa’s first democratic elections, and served as political adviser to President Mandela.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

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

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

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Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Restricted Consult Mr Kathrada prior to use

Conditions governing reproduction

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Note

UWC- Robben Island Mayibuye Archives
Telephone: + 27 21 959 2935/54
Fax:+27 21959 3411

Postal Address: Private Bag X17
Bellville
7535
Western Cape
South Africa

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Accession area