- ZA UWCRIMA MR-RT-066
- Collection
- 1980 - 1989
Part of Rivonia Trial
This collection mostly comprises academic papers and articles related to economics, sociology, women, development labour etc. It also contains reports and journals.
Wolpe, Harold
Part of Rivonia Trial
Wolpe, Harold
South African Press Clips Collection
Part of Rivonia Trial
Streek, Barry
Part of Rivonia Trial
Strassburg, Toni
Part of Rivonia Trial
Mbeki, Govan Archibald Mvuyelwa
Part of Rivonia Trial
This collection is in two accessions. The first accession contains mainly prison correspondence, study materials from jail, other manuscripts and documents from Kathrada’s prison years, a large number of ANC and other documents from the years following his release, as well as a number of books and artefacts. There are microfilm copies of the prison letters. The only material related directly to the Rivonia Trial in this section is 11. 5, a copy of part of the Rivonia Trial record signed by Mandela, Sisulu, Kathrada and Motsoaledi given to them after their move to Pollsmoor Prison.
The second accession consists of prison artefacts, correspondence, documents and study materials from 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). There are only a few items from the period prior to his imprisonment. Records related to the Rivonia Trial are: A2.8: part of Rivonia Trial record (unsigned and unbound) with Robben Island Prison stamp on it (Judgement); A1.6.3.10: Letter to The Head of Prisons Pollsmoor Maximum Prison requesting permission to spend his 60th birthday with Rivonia Trial colleagues (4 August 1989) and follow-up letter (20 August 1989); and B3.6.3: Information re documentary called "Rivonia" from 1990s.
Kathrada, Ahmed Mohamed (Kathy)
Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement (IAAM) Collection
Part of Rivonia Trial
Includes correspondence, minutes of meetings statement, briefings, press releases, press clippings, Amandla, publications.
Records related to Rivonia:
2.1.1. Minutes of meetings 1964: Contains reference to lobbying around Rivonia Trial
2.4. Dealings with Irish Press: Contains references to Rivonia Trial in statements and press conferences
31.1.1 Correspondence with ANC: Contains brief references to Rivonia Trial
39 Press cuttings 1963-1994: Cuttings are in date order and include cuttings from Irish press re arrests at Rivonia, escape of Wolpe and Goldreich and trial.
Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement (IAAM)
Harold and Annemarie Wolpe Papers
Part of Rivonia Trial
Donated by Annemarie Wolpe.
-Mostly newscuttings scrapbooks, albums and folders re Harold Wolpe's escape, Annemarie's arrest, Kantor's arrest and refused bail application, family reaction to arrests, Kantor's acquittal etc. Also cuttings re Rivonia Trial generally.
-Documents including escape story, pamphlets, articles, manuscript of Annemarie's book "The Long Way Home", documents re the Wolpe's becoming citizens of the UK, Harold Wolpe's academic papers, Annemarie Wolpe's prison file.
These papers do not necessarily form a collection discrete from other Liliesleaf Farm collections but have been listed as such for ease of reference. Also see entries for James Kantor Papers, Liliesleaf Farm Audio-Visual Collection, Liliesleaf Farm Artefact Collection, Liliesleaf Farm/Rivonia Trial Research Collection, Percy Yutar Papers.
Untitled
South African Newspaper Collection
Part of Rivonia Trial
National Library of South Africa
Part of Rivonia Trial
Mandela, Nelson Rolihlahla
Part of Rivonia Trial
SACP and ANC history. Includes correspondence, newspaper cuttings, papers, bound volumes of the Guardian (1937-1948), New Age (1957). Subject file on: "Rivonia and other political trials". 2.39.1 on Rivonia contains biographies of nine accused, press clippings from The Economist and Statist (June 1964), The AA Movement: Nelson Mandela, Focus on Resistance, Southern Africa Feature Service: The Rivonia trial, UN Unit on Apartheid notes and documents: The Rivonia Trial - ten years after, World Campaign for the release of South African political prisoners: The Men of Rivonia (press statement 12 June 1964).
Also newspaper clippings (1.38 box 88) on Rivonia and Fischer Trials; Government publications 5.2.2 has a copy of Nelson Mandela's speech at the Trial with notes and marking; Correspondence 11.4.2 includes letters by Govan Mbeki from 1970s to his family (not directly related to Rivonia) and 11.5 includes letters re Robben Island and former prisoners ((not directly related to Rivonia).
Bunting, Brian Percy
African National Congress Oral History Interviews
Part of Rivonia Trial
African National Congress (ANC) Archives Oral History Project
Part of Rivonia Trial
Sisulu, Walter Max Ulyate
African National Congress US Repatriation Collection
Part of Rivonia Trial
African National Congress (ANC)
Ahmed Kathrada Interviews with Nelson Mandela
Part of Rivonia Trial
These recordings were generated in the preparation and editing of the "Long Walk to Freedom" book and Anthony Sampson's authorised biography. In both of these projects, Ahmed Kathrada worked closely with Sampson and Stengel (who provided professional support for "Long Walk to Freedom") and Mandela. Transcription and digitisation is in process.
One transcribed extract (extract 5) relates to the Rivonia Trial as Mandela tells Kathrada about a conversation he had with a warder at Pretoria Local Prison during the trial about the fate of the accused.
There may be references to the Rivonia Trial in other recordings and in NMPP2009/57 Rick Stengel Interviews with Nelson Mandela.
Kathrada, Ahmed Mohamed (Kathy)
Part of Rivonia Trial
Tanganyika Standard
Part of Rivonia Trial
Untitled
South African Political Papers of His Honour Judge Kellock
Part of Rivonia Trial
The material includes fragments of the Rivonia Trial Transcript concerning the details of the charges; news sheets and press releases about the Rivonia Trial; a statement by Kellock on the Trial; information sheets on South African legislation; minutes and circulars from the World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners. Other material includes Anti-Apartheid Movement correspondence, and national and executive committee meeting minutes for 1965 - 1966; correspondence relating to the South African Non-Racial Olympic Committee and its officials; and papers relating to the Nyasaland emergency of 1959.
Judge Kellock, (formerly Mr. Thomas Oslaf Kellock, Q.C.) was Chairman of the National Committee of the Anti-Apartheid Movement in Britain from 1963-65. This group of papers is mostly concerned with the period when Mr. Kellock was sent to South Africa by Christian Action to act as an observer for the Defence and Aid Fund at the Rivonia Trial in 1964.
Kellock, Thomas Oslaf
Part of Rivonia Trial
Mendelson, John
Part of Rivonia Trial
UK Foreign Office
Part of Rivonia Trial
These records fall under: Foreign Office: Political Departments: General Correspondence; Africa, West and Central (J): South Africa (JS) subseries.
Contains:
-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)
-Newspaper articles on the Rivonia trial (November and December 1963)
-Note from Mitford to the British Consulate General requesting that political trials that might seriously impact the Rivonia Trial to be closely monitored (5 December 1963)
-Visit by John Arnold Q.C. a leading conservative barrister in London (includes a summary of proceedings, 13 December 1963)
-Arrest, assault and torture of Isaac Tlale 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 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 (16 December 1963)
-Nelson Mandela's life sentence: reactions (1963)
-Foreign reaction to the Rivonia trial judgment and sentences
-Statement in parliament by H.F. Verwoerd (16 June 1964)
-Rivonia trial judgment (correspondence and press cuttings)
-Rivonia trial sentence (summary from press articles 1964)
-Question whether the British government should ask the South African government to reduce the life sentences handed down in the Rivonia trial (Correspondence, 26 June 1964)
-Libyan embassy in London will ask the UK secretary of state to intervene and have the Rivonia trial life sentences reduced (report, 15 June 1964)
-The U.S. state department will not ask for a reduction in the Rivonia trial (correspondence Internal British foreign office, (27 June 1964)
-Secretary of the state talking about the Rivonia (speech house of Commons, July 1964)
-The Canadian Ambassador asks that the Rivonia trial sentences be reduced (report, 22 July 1964)
-Rivonia trial accused decide not to appeal (report, 27 July 1964)
-The German government approaches South Africa about the Rivonia trial sentences (report, 2 September 1964)
-Book on Rivonia trial by Judge De Villiers (Report 24 September 1964)
-Death sentence in Rivonia trial "unlikely" (note, 4 June 1964)
-Upcoming judgement 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 (America will also abstain) (note, 10 June 1964)
-Verdicts in 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 Trial sentences until the defence has lodged an appeal (note, 14 June 1964)
-Unsigned copy of the Rivonia trial judgement (15 June 1964)
UK Foreign Office
Records of the Foreign Office: Rivonia Trial of African National Congress Members
Part of Rivonia Trial
Papers.
These form part of the records of Embassies, Legations, Consulates, etc: Foreign Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Embassy, South Africa: Registered Files
UK Foreign Office
Records of the Foreign Office: Rivonia Trial of African National Congress Members
Part of Rivonia Trial
Papers.
These form part of the records of Embassies, Legations, Consulates, etc: Foreign Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Embassy, South Africa: Registered Files
UK Foreign Office
Records of the Foreign Office: Rivonia Trial
Part of Rivonia Trial
These records fall under: Foreign Office: Political Departments: General Correspondence; African, West and Central (J): South Africa (JS) subseries.
Contains:
Correspondence from the Nigerian diplomats on various British expatriates working at universities and hospitals who will resign from their positions if Nelson Mandela is sentenced to death (29 May 1963).
It was not possible to verify the existence of these records at the time of this audit.
UK Foreign Office
Part of Rivonia Trial
These records fall under: Foreign Office: Political Departments: General Correspondence; Africa, West and Central (J): South Africa (JS) subseries.
Contains records on Rivonia Sabotage Trial of ANC leaders, including:
-The trial and sentencing of Constable Johannes Arnoldus Greef for his role on helping Arthur Goldreich to escape (newspaper article)
-Report on the substance of O.R. Tambo to the U.N. special committee about people accused of sabotage (9 October 1963)
-Report on the proceedings of the Rivonia trial (press reports)
-222 Acts of sabotage between 10 August 1961 and 1963 (article from the Star newspaper 9 October 1963)
-Moves to raise Pretoria trial issue at U.N. (article from the Star, 10 October 1963)
-Conversation with Bram Fischer about the Rivonia trial
-Letter from Durossil to the Foreign Office, London (19 October 1963)
-De Wet quashed indictment "The Rivonia trial collapses" (articles from the Rand Daily Mail, 30 October 1963)
UK Foreign Office
Records of the Foreign Office: Rivonia Trial
Part of Rivonia Trial
These records fall under: Foreign Office: Political Departments: General Correspondence; African, West and Central (J): South Africa (JS) subseries.
Includes:
Kantor has said the Nelson Mandela will be convicted and sentenced (internal note, 29 May 1964)
UK Foreign Office
Records of the Foreign Office: Rivonia Trial
Part of Rivonia Trial
UK Foreign Office
Part of Rivonia Trial
These records fall under: Foreign Office: Political Departments: General Correspondence; African, West and Central (J): South Africa (JS) subseries.
Rivonia Trial judgement and sentences: Correspondence and telegrams and letter from various British citizens and organisations.
UK Foreign Office
Freedom Park Oral History Collection
Part of Rivonia Trial
Untitled
Episcopal Church People for Southern Africa
Part of Rivonia Trial
Rivonia Trial materials include:
Unit 66 Ref 0398
-News clippings in English from newspapers in the US and UK concerning the situation in South Africa during the 1960's
-Text of Nelson Mandela's Rivonia Trial speech published by Christian Action and printed by A G Bishop & Sons Ltd (Kent, UK)
Unit 85 Ref 0494
-Correspondence on "Free Mandela" appeals from the Committee of Southern Africa and responses from the US Department of State
-Correspondence on "Free Mandela" appeals from Centre against Apartheid
-Correspondence "Free Mandela" appeals from Africa Resource Center (CA, USA)
-Correspondence "Free Mandela" appeals from General Theological Seminary (NY, USA)
-Correspondence from The Episcopal Churchmen for Southern Africa (NY, USA) to among others, the US President, advocating for freeing of South African and Namibia political prisoners
-Several leaflet copies of the "Free Mandela" campaign
-Text of Nelson Mandela's Rivonia Trial speech published by Christian Action and printed by A G Bishop & Sons Ltd (Kent, UK)
-News clippings on Mrs. Helen Suzman's visit of Robben Island and meeting Mr. Nelson Mandela and Mr. Toivo Ja Toivo, restricted family visits by Winnie Mandela, free Mandela campaigns conducted both in South Africa and around the world.
Episcopal Churchmen For South Africa
Part of Rivonia Trial
Department of Justice
Part of Rivonia Trial
Untitled
Landsorganisasjonens Internasjonale Avdeling
Part of Rivonia Trial
Norwegian Labour Movement: Press Clippings Collection
Part of Rivonia Trial
Untitled
Norwegian Action Against Apartheid
Part of Rivonia Trial
Norwegian Action Against Apartheid
Collectie Komitee Zuidelijk Afrika
Part of Rivonia Trial
Komitee Zuidelijk Afrika
International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) Papers: The Rivonia Story
Part of Rivonia Trial
Includes typed manuscripts of "The Rivonia Story", two other manuscripts and photocopy of manuscript entitled "The State vs. Nelson Mandela and nine others", copy of the indictment signed by Nelson Mandela, statement from the dock with notes (looks like for a book?) and, notes on 1962 trial. Note on folder: " Barry I thought you should have these photocopies for your records. Nice to talk to you again. Joel 6/12"
Available for inspection at time of audit.
International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF)
Part of Rivonia Trial
Department of Justice
Part of Rivonia Trial
UNISA bought the microfilm from CAMP (Cooperative Africana Microfilm Project). These were transferred from the Archives and Special Collections.
Reel FI4059:
-Starts on list of evidence and exhibits (incomplete)
-Charge
-First indictment
-Annexure B to Indictment: The defence request for further particulars and State's reply thereto Part I and II
-Notice of application to quash indictment (27 October 1963)
-Heads of argument re application to quash by Bram Fischer and Percy Yutar's reply
-Second indictment
-Annexure A to indictment: Particulars to the counts set out in the indictment
-Annexure C
-Annexure B
-Notice to quash (22 November 1963)
-Heads of argument
-Bail applications of Bernstein and Kantor and judgment on application
-Opening address by Percy Yutar
-Index to state witnesses and exhibits
-Statements by witnesses including, amongst others, Makda, Mtolo, Davids, Mashiloane, Sulliman, Jaantjies, Jelliman. Card
-Notes on state witnesses evidence taken by defence (volumes 1-4 and extra piece in volume 5). Incomplete.
Reel FI4060:
-Continuation of witness statements including Mtolo,
-Notes on state witnesses evidence taken by defence
-Record of state witnesses in regard to James Kantor: Makda, Gibson, Kleynhans, Cox, First, Fenn, van Rensburg
-Analysis of state evidence by defence
-Defence opening address and Nelson Mandela's (sic) Statement from the Dock
-Walter Sisulu's evidence volume 1 (p.1-155), volume 2 (p. 156-296)
Reel FI4061:
-Walter Sisulu's evidence volume 3 (p. 297-356), volume 4 (p. 357-464)
-Ahmed Kathrada's evidence
-Raymond Mhlaba's evidence
-Lionel Bernstein's evidence (with notes)
-Denis Goldberg's evidence and cross examination by Mr Krog
-Govan Mbeki's evidence (includes notes passed between defence (?) team
FI4062:
-Elias Motsoaledi's statement (4 pages)
-Andrew Mlangeni's statement
-Analysis of defence evidence and notes on argument
-Judgement
-Evidence in mitigation of sentence and judgement on sentence
-Photographs of Rivonia
-Index of accused and co-conspirators and photographs
-Plans of Mountain view and Liliesleaf Farm
-List of documents found by police in raids
-Statement prepared by Nelson Mandela in his handwriting
-Evidence prepared by Sisulu in his handwriting
-Handwritten statement prepared by Sisulu in event of receiving the death sentence
It appears that these microfilms are a defence set and, according to the archivist, the originals came from Joel Joffe. However, they are not identical to the defence set of trial records at Wits (AD1844). That set contains some material that these microfilm do not and this set contains some material that Wits' does not (most notably, Sisulu's evidence and Goldberg's evidence are both complete in UNISA's and not at Wits). The reason for the differences are not known.
Untitled
The State versus Nelson Mandela and Nine Others
Part of Rivonia Trial
Department of Justice
Part of Rivonia Trial
Department of Justice
National Public Broadcasting Archives
Part of Rivonia Trial
National Public Radio
Records of Secretary-General U Thant
Part of Rivonia Trial
U Thant
Records of Secretary-General U Thant
Part of Rivonia Trial
U Thant
Records of Secretary-General U Thant
Part of Rivonia Trial
U Thant
Records of Secretary-General U Thant
Part of Rivonia Trial
U Thant
Records of Secretary-General U Thant
Part of Rivonia Trial
U Thant
Records of Secretary-General U Thant
Part of Rivonia Trial
U Thant
Part of Rivonia Trial
There are legal documents relating to the Rivonia Trial and to Kantor's law firm, personal papers, correspondence and notes from prison, and research and manuscripts for his book. The papers are not fully sorted or listed but some are in numbered folders. They do not necessarily form a collection discrete from other Liliesleaf Farm collections but have been listed as such for ease of reference. Also see entries for Harold and Annemarie Wolpe Papers, Liliesleaf Farm Audio-Visual Collection, Liliesleaf Farm Artefact Collection, Liliesleaf Farm/Rivonia Trial Research Collection.
Legal papers from the Trial include cross examination of Makda in the Rivonia Trial, charges, request by defence for further particulars, replies to request for further particulars by accused #9 and 10, motion to quash the indictment (with ms notes) 26 October 1963, bail application for Kantor and Yutar's reply, Annexure A to the indictment, Annexure B to the indictment, extract of evidence of Kantor. Also Yutar's reply to application to quash, bail application for Kantor and for Bernstein, judgment on bail application (p.1-90 and p.140-144 missing), comments on the evidence by Sergeant C D van Rensburg and Lieutenant Victor, statements by Berman, Fine, Greef, Tlale, Van Niekerk, Williams.
Financial statements from Kantor, Zwarenstein and Partners Law Firm. Payments shown by Kathrada, Wolpe, Hodgson, Ezra. Shows deposit for Liliesleaf Farm. Also other legal documents including transfer of Liliesleaf Farm in November 1961 from D B Fyfe to Novian Pty Limited. Also, a copy of letter from Kantor to staff at his law firm that he had to close it due to the Trial
Personal documents of James Kantor: passport, Defence Force Card, handwritten statement entitled "Details of my trip to Liliesleaf Farm" (5 pages with diagram of farm), personal history and career summary, correspondence (including from prison while being tried), will and other personal papers. Handwritten biographies of Trialists apparently written for Kantor while they were in prison during the trial (laminated), notes written in prison during the trial some on scraps of a chocolate box. One note reads: "Welcome! If that's the right word. What the hell are you doing here? You should be out defending us. Here's a pencil. Guard it with your life. It's worth its weight in gold"
Original typed manuscript for book "A Healthy Grave", various versions of this book some with manuscript additions sometimes called "The Reluctant Revolutionary", research for the book.
Articles: "Introduction to demolition and theory of explosives", newspaper clippings about Wolpe and Goldreich's escape.
These papers do not necessarily form a collection discrete from other Liliesleaf Farm collections but have been listed as such for ease of reference. Also see entries for Harold and Annemarie Wolpe Papers, Liliesleaf Farm Audio-Visual Collection, Liliesleaf Farm Artefact Collection, Liliesleaf Farm/Rivonia Trial Research Collection, Percy Yutar Papers.
Vanderbilt Television News Archive
Part of Rivonia Trial
South Africa: The Making of US Policy: 1962-1989
Part of Rivonia Trial
This collection provides primary source documents describing U.S. relationships to apartheid including implementation, enforcement, and violations of the U.N-sponsored sanctions against South Africa. Including the following that relate to the Rivonia Trial:
-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).
The National Security Archive is a non-profit research institute and library providing public access to declassified government documents obtained through the U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). These are then published as declassified document sets (as this one on South Africa), are produced in microfiche, and digitised to become part of the Digital National Security Archive database which some universities subscribe to (Monash University in South Africa).
US State Department
Part of Rivonia Trial
Part of Rivonia Trial
Joffe, Joel
Part of Rivonia Trial
Mandela, Nelson Rolihlahla
Part of Rivonia Trial
Incomplete set of records of the State vs. Nelson Mandela and nine others. The collection includes charge sheets, the indictment, opening address, statements, evidence, evaluation of evidence and exhibits, including photographs, bail applications, sentencing. An important section of the collection relates to preparation of the defence. Also includes a VHS video (no soundtrack) of the cells and court room where the Rivonia Trial was held. This was filmed a long time after the trial. Its reference code is AD1844, D.
Missing volumes are: Volume 21: Walter Sisulu's Evidence (vol. 2); Volume 22: Walter Sisulu's Evidence (vol. 3); Volume 23: Walter Sisulu's Evidence (vol. 4); Volume 27: Denis Goldberg's Evidence; Volume 35: Exhibit: Plan of Liliesleaf and Rivonia. Incomplete: Volume 29: Elias Motsoaledi's Statement. It is not clear why these volumes are missing.
The records in this collection are the Defence set donated originally by Joel Joffe. They are part of the archives of the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR).
Joffe, Joel
Part of Rivonia Trial
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
Part of Rivonia Trial
SAFM documentary in two parts for The Inner Ear Programme. Details the role played by Nelson Mandela and the ANC in the struggle for freedom in South Africa. Compiled by Joe Richardson and Sue Johnson and presented by Will Bernard. Dated 9 May 2004.
Part 1 deals with the call for armed struggle, the creation of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the arrests at Rivonia. Mandela as the first witness in the Trial, four hour statement from the dock made at the Trial, sentencing to life imprisonment, meaning of Rivonia Trial.
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
Part of Rivonia Trial
Include his songs and music from Robben Island, artefacts such as his beloved guitar with its Island-built case. The collection holds his correspondence, manuscripts of his books, some of which was written on toilet paper and smuggled out of prisons, and a record of his life on the Island and after his release. 'Oom Gov' also gave to the University his own library in a ceremony at his house weeks before he died. Many of the books are those given to him by the authors.
Although most the material does not relate to the Rivonia Trial, this collection has been included as it speaks to the character of one of the Trial's main accused. Rivonia Trial material is: Part One of the State’s Concluding Address at the Rivonia Trial.
Mbeki, Govan Archibald Mvuyelwa
Part of Rivonia Trial
Mainly correspondence between Benson and fellow South African activists and large amounts of newspaper cuttings collected by Benson relating to South Africa and the struggle against Apartheid.
Records related to the Rivonia Trial:
-Nelson Mandela’s statement from the dock at the Rivonia Trial (ICS6/5/3)
-Elias Motsoaledi's statement (ICS6/5/7)
- Correspondence, reports and statements about the treatment of political prisoners in South Africa, including reports by the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) and Amnesty International
- 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. There is also correspondence between Benson and others, 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 prisoner
-News clippings concerning Mandela, mainly from British newspapers. Subjects covered in particular detail include the Rivonia Trial and campaigns for Mandela's release (ICS6/8)
Benson, Mary
Part of Rivonia Trial
The collection has been arranged in four series: A. Personal Documents, B. Office of the President, C. Special Topics, and D. Press Cuttings (not microfilmed).
Only a few records relate indirectly to the Rivonia Trial:
- 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)
- A letter from the ANC London office concerning the arrests of Mandela and Walter Sisulu
- Reports on campaigns for the release of political prisones
- Correspondence from Mandela, written from Pollsmoor Prison, to Oliver Tambo and a number of other individuals
- 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)
- Correspondence and statementsre international calls for 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.
- Drafts of plays and books on Mandela, including" 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
- Biographical notes onMandela
Tambo, Oliver Reginald
Part of Rivonia Trial
The files reflect Denis Goldberg's activities and interaction with VIPs in the country and abroad on uplifting the educational and socio-economic status of previously disadvantaged South Africans. Includes files on a wide range of issues from 1983-1995.
Although there is no material related to Rivonia Trial in this collection, it has been included as it speaks to the subsequent activities of one of the main protagonist in the Trial.
Goldberg, Denis Theodore
Part of Rivonia Trial
The collection includes personal material of First and her immediate family such as correspondence and financial records, papers relating to First's work as a journalist in South Africa, as a university lecturer, an anti-apartheid activist, and as an author and editor of numerous books and articles on Africa and other political topics. Also included are research papers and printed material relating to First and her family, collected both during her lifetime and after her death.
Material related to the Rivonia Trial:
-Background material, correspondence and reviews concerning "No Easy Walk to Freedom," edited by Ruth First. Includes 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. Also includes correspondence, mainly between Ruth First and Heinemann Publishers, as well as clippings of newspaper reviews (RF/1/6/2)
-ANC publications includes introductory pamphlets on the ANC and the Rivonia trial, copies of magazines: Sechaba and Mayibuye.(RF/1/17/2/3)
-Materials on political detentions 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 First (RF/1/18/2)
- Transcripts of interviews with Robben Island political prisoners (RF/1/18/1).
-Newspaper cuttings from both British and South African newspapers, mainly covering issues relating to politics in South Africa including the Rivonia Trial (RF/1/19)
-Correspondence (Feb 1964-Aug 1965) covering subjects such as the Rivonia Trial and First's exile to Britain. Correspondents include Govan Mbeki, Molly Bernstein and Julius Lewin (RF/2/1/2).
The collection is on indefinite loan to the Institute of Commonwealth Studies and remains the property of the Ruth First Memorial Trust.
First, Ruth
Part of Rivonia Trial
These records were donated by the Oppenheimer Family to the National Archives in 2008 from the Brenthurst Library in Johannesburg. The Oppenheimers acquired them from Dr Percy Yutar, the prosecutor in the trial.
They are not a complete record. Some witness testimony, and cross-examination are missing. See linked list for more details.
Included in the records are the indictment, opening address, statements, evidence by witnesses for the State and for the accused, evaluation of evidence of the trial, judgment and sentence, photographs, the diary Mandela kept when he left South Africa secretly at the beginning of 1962 to undergo military training and to garner support for the banned ANC. Also included is Mandela's statement from the dock. A significant component of the material is the working papers of the prosecution that were used to build up the State's case against the Rivonia Trialists. There are also photocopies and microfilm copies.
There are also prosecution records from the Yutars in the personal collection of Douw Steyn and at Liliesleaf Farm.
Yutar, Percy
International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) Papers: Miscellaneous
Part of Rivonia Trial
Correspondence, minutes of meetings, media strategies, pamphlets, newsletters, statements and news clippings concerning the following:
-Nelson Mandela’s 60th birthday.
-The Nelson Mandela International Reception committee, convened by Archbishop Trevor Huddleston.
-Political imprisonment in South Africa.
-Helen Suzman’s visit to Mandela (1983).
-Legal action by Mandela against the Minister of Prisons (1981).
-Legal work undertaken on behalf of the Mandela family.
-The Rivonia Trial.
-Honours conferred on Mandela.
Correspondents include Ismail Ayob, Helen Suzman, and the law firm Frank, Bernadt and Joffe.
Not available for inspection at time of this audit (c2010).
International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF)
International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) Film Archive
Part of Rivonia Trial
International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF)
Part of Rivonia Trial
Department of Justice
South African Institute of Race Relations Photograph Collection
Part of Rivonia Trial
South African Institute of Race Relations