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Rivonia Trial
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South African Newspaper Collection

Collection of South African newspapers. Focus is newspapers from Johannesburg, Pretoria and surrounds. Collection includes coverage of the transfer of Mandela to Pretoria before the Trail, the arrests, Rivonia Trial, sentencing etc. Request relevant dates or publications. Newspapers which covered the trial extensively include Sunday Times, Pretoria News, Rand Daily Mail, Die Vaderland etc.

National Library of South Africa

South African Newspaper Collection

Collection of South African newspapers. More comprehensive than collection in Pretoria branch. Request relevant dates or publications to find coverage on Rivonia Trail.

National Library of South Africa

British Library Newspaper Collection

Collections includes all UK national daily and Sunday newspapers from 1801 to the present, most UK and Irish regional and local newspapers, selected newspapers from around the world in European languages, a range of UK and Irish popular periodicals, mostly published weekly and fortnightly.

These would include coverage of the Rivonia Trial.

British Library

Harold and Annemarie Wolpe Papers

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.

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Toni Strassburg Papers

  • ZA UWCRIMA MR-RT-064
  • Collection
  • 1950 - 1960
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

One folder of press cuttings on Treason Trial, bannings and arrests, and Rivonia Trial. Rivonia Trial reports in New York Times and South African newspapers. Also article on Bernstein escape after rearrest after acquittal and escape of Wolpe and Goldreich.

Strassburg, Toni

Africana Collection

The Library collection of roughly 200,000 books, pamphlets, maps and microform units covers all areas and disciplines. There is an emphasis on the socio-economic development and history of sub-Saharan Africa, with special emphases (reflecting faculty interests) on Ethiopia/Eritrea, Zimbabwe, South Africa, the Sahel region of West Africa, and Nigeria (especially the Eastern Region).

Materials related to the Rivonia Trial include:
- A number of video recordings relating to the life story of Nelson Mandela and thus mentioning the Rivonia Trial in the Audio-Visual Materials on Africa
-Microform and photocopies of Kathrada Collection (originals at UWC-Robben Island Mayibuye Centre) in Special Collections. Over 100 fiche in 13 boxes. DT1949.K38A4 1996; also on film: SPEC COLL RARE BOOKS XX 27823 Microfilm. Guide (1995) available at DT1949.K38S35 1995
-The Voice of Nelson Mandela (SABC, 1999), which includes extracts from the Statement from the Dock. In general library holdings (MSU DIGITAL/MEDIA AUDIODISC, 4 WEST - PT1974 .M36 1999 Audio disc)

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James Kantor Papers

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.

Records of the Foreign Office: Export of Arms to South Africa: Internal Security Operations: Rivonia Sabotage Trial of ANC Leaders

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

Rivonia Trial: Quartus De Wet/Bram Fischer/Dr Percy Yutar

SABC English Service broadcast. Recordings of the proceedings during the Rivonia Trial. Includes recordings of Judge President Quartus De Wet, the prosecutor Dr Percy Yutar and counsel for the defence Bram Fischer. Mandela appears as Accused number 1. Dated 3 December 1963.

South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

Records of ANC Morogoro Office

Four publications relate to the Rivonia Trial:
-On Trial for Their Lives, Mary Benson, 1965
-Reasons for Plunging South Africa into Guerrilla Warfare, Walter Sisulu, 1964
-On Violence in South Africa, Ahmed Kathrada, 1964
(all Box 18, folder 167)
-An Afrikaner against Apartheid, Bram Fischer, 1966 (Box 8, folder 69)

African National Congress (ANC) Morogoro Office

Records of the Foreign Office: Export of Arms to South Africa: Internal Security Operations: Rivonia Sabotage Trial of ANC Leaders

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

Tanganyika Standard

Articles on South Africa in Tanzanian daily newspaper, 1963. Include the following related to the Rivonia Trial:
-Four escape S.A. police
-Escape trio on way
-Cell guards coshed in escape - police: SA. Exits watched
-Mystery fire at airport delays Goldreich's arrival in Dar
-Escapers due in second freedom flight
-Airline doubts over safety: EAA recalls rescue plane: flight to Mbeya
-Goldreich and Wolpe fly out: Stops in Federal territory avoided
-ANC fearful of another kidnap plot
-Goldreich and Wolpe "evil traitors"

Tanganyika Standard

National Intelligence Agency Archive

Inventory accessed contains one manuscript (bound photocopy in three parts) in Nelson Mandela's handwriting: "How to be a Good Communist; Dialectical Materialism; Political Economy". Preceding the manuscript are two pages from Mandela's Statement from the Dock (pages 45 and 46) and a photocopy of a sub-file indicating what the manuscript is about and that is was seizd at Rivonia.

There may be other records related to the Rivonia Trial in this archive

Untitled

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.

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International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) Papers: South African Political Prisoners: The life we led 1963-1966

  • ZA UWCRIMA MR-RT-079
  • Collection
  • 1956 - 1964
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

Manuscript of "South African Political Prisoners: The Life We Led 1963-1966" by Mahlubi L Mrwetyana. Reference to Robben Island prison conditions including for Rivonia Trialists. File on Race Relations with completed questionnaires and extensive notes on prison conditions in South Africa 1956-1961; file with material on families; biographical notes on some of the persons persecuted by the government of the Republic of South Africa for their opposition to the policies of apartheid, 30 May 1964. The list includes Nelson Mandela and other Rivonia Trialists. The list is fairly extensive. File re IRC visits to South African prisons 1964; copies of the letter and reports sent to B J Vorster (Minister of Justice) by the ICRC, June 18 1964 re: conditions in South African prisons (Robben Island, State farm prison, Victor Verster, various police stations in Pretoria and Johannesburg, Pretoria Prison, Leeuwkop, Prison Vooruitsig, Kroonstad, Pretoria Prison, T B Hospital Sonderwater).

Not available for inspection at time of this audit.

International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF)

Criminal Court Case No. 253/1963 (The State versus N Mandela and Others)

  • ZA NARSSA MR-RT-093
  • Collection
  • 1963 - 1964
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

The records of the Supreme Court of South Africa (Transvaal Provincial Division) on the proceedings of the Rivonia Trial. Transferred to National Archives in 1994. Incomplete on transfer. Existent records are:

File cover with handwritten notes, including the sentences that were passed. The clerk of the court recorded the sentences that were passed together with the names of the accused on the cover of a file in blue ink.

Extracts of evidence by state witnesses (3 vols). These volumes include records by the attorney for the accused, Mr. B Fischer, applying for the postponement of the proceedings and the reply by Dr Yutar, the State’s main prosecutor. Further records include the verbatim transcriptions of evidence given by state witnesses.

Evidence for defence (1 vol.). Include verbatim transcriptions of evidence given by Ahmed Kathrada, Raymond Mhlaba, Lionel Bernstein and Govan Mbeki.

Rivonia Exhibits (1 vol.). The exhibits include documents seized by the police at Liliesleaf and deals with topics such as the Transkei; Operation Mayibuye; the new draft programme of the South African Communist Party (SACP); names and addresses of ANC and SACP members; a copy of Sibanye, a newsletter; documents discussing problems in the democratic movement, the Nationalists invasion scare, the general predictions for 1963; handwritten notes on freedom movements elsewhere in Africa; an article by E Rosenthal on General De Wet; a syllabus on the fundamental principles of Marxism; a pamphlet named 'A Call to the Youth'; a manual on rock blasting; the rules of the SACP; sketch of Tunisia; handwritten notes on the Kenya Youth Wing Organisations; SACP newsletter on the China/India border dispute; statement by the SACP on conditions in South Africa; document on the differences in the communist movement; invoices from Ace Auto electricians; press statement by Nelson Mandela on 26 June 1961.

State’s Concluding Address (4 vols). These volumes are divided into three parts. The first part deals with a factual analysis of documentary exhibits handed in, and of oral testimony given, by state witnesses. Part two deals with a factual analysis of the documentary exhibits handed in, and of the oral testimony given, by state witnesses (continued). The third part deals with the Rivonia exhibits.

Two volumes consisting of Judge’s remarks in passing sentence; the Attorney General for the Transvaal’s statement explaining which of the accused was found guilty of what offences; a part of the judgement and verbatim transcriptions of the court proceedings

Judgement (1 vol.).

Dictabelts covering the whole case (8 vols). These are digitised and accessible from NARSSA.

These records, together with the Prosecution Records received from Brenthurst Library, will at some stage become one group.

Department of Justice

The State versus Nelson Mandela and Nine Others

Partial record of the State versus Nelson Mandela and nine others. Contains: State's Concluding Address : Part 2: The persons who were parties to the conspiracy and the implementation thereof (OP12099), Part.4: A factual analysis of the defence case and of the further documentary exhibits produced in the course thereof (OP12100); and Judgment and Sentence (1 volume: OP12098).

Department of Justice

Rivonia Trial, 1963-1964

This South African material at this repository was collected by Thomas Karis for "From Protest to Challenge" and is in the Karis-Gerhart Collection of South African Political Trials. It contains the following on the Rivonia Trial:
-MF-451 Neg. MF: Rivonia Sabotage Trial: Not an official transcript. File consists of defence attorney's detailed notes on transcript, analyses of evidence and exhibits. Also includes the indictment. 4 reels
-MF-2611 Neg. MF-966: The Rivonia Trial, J G Joffe and M Koff. Microfilm of typescript. 1 reel.
-MF-10791 reel 35 item 6: Rivonia: Operation Mayibuye: A Review of the Rivonia Trial, H H W de Villiers with a foreward by Francis Napier Broome.

Untitled

Records of the 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

Records of Secretary-General U Thant

Includes:
-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 E S 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, 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 E S 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.
-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.
-Press statement issued by South African Prime Minister, HF Verwoerd concerning the sentences passed in the Rivonia Trial, 1964.

U Thant

Rivonia Trial

  • ZA CL-RU MR-RT-030
  • Collection
  • 1963 - 1964
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

Purchased from Microfile, Johannesburg. Records of the State vs. Nelson Mandela and nine others. Includes indictments, addresses, evidence and other trial records. Incomplete. There is no inventory so it is unclear which trial records are missing.

Department of Justice

Records of the Foreign Office: Rivonia Trial

These records fall under: Foreign Office: Political Departments: General Correspondence; African, West and Central (J): South Africa (JS) subseries.
Includes:
-CVs of Rivonia Trialists written by Nadine Gordimer (April 1964)
-Nelson Mandela speech from the dock (scheduled for 20th April)
-Analysis (8 April 1964)
-Rivonia Trial (notes from Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign affairs, 10 April 1964)
-Nigerian government's concern for the Rivonia accused (notes, 10 April 1964)
-Potential intervention by the British government (discussions, no date)
-Possible intervention by German government in Rivonia trial (note, 16 April 1964)
-Rivonia trial defence (newspaper articles, various April 1964)
-Kenyan's government's anxiety about Rivonia trail (note, no date)
-African leaders plan on demonstrations if Nelson Mandela is executed (notes, 7 May 1964)
-Ethiopia asks for Belgium to exert pressure on South African government (note, 6 may 1964)
-Nelson Mandela's speaking in Addis Ababa - exhibit R13 in the Rivonia trial (notes of Nelson Mandela, May 1963)
-Note on Bram Fischer's defence statement (20 April 1964)
-The likely outcome of the Rivonia Trial (discussion document, no date)
-"The Revolutionary way out" (statement of the SACO, no date)
-"Should the British Prime Minister send a private message to Verwoed about Rivonia?" (correspondence, 7 May 1964; reply on 14 May saying it would be inadvisable)
-Letter enclosing Nelson Mandela's statement from the dock (correspondence from, 6 May 1964)
-Van den Bergh of BOSS does not expect a death sentence to be passed in the Rivonia Trail (note, 20 May 1964

UK Foreign Office

International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) Papers: Conditions for political prisoners in 1960s

  • ZA UWCRIMA MR-RT-078
  • Collection
  • 1961 - 1964
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

General strike: Report of the 3 day strike in South Africa (May 29, 30,31, 1961) by Nelson Mandela (Secretary, National Action Council of South Africa); prisoners of Apartheid a biographical list of political prisoners and banned persons in South Africa (IDAF in cooperation with UN Centre Against Apartheid); South African Prisons and the Red Cross Investigation and examination by the International Defence and Aid Fund with prisoners testimony. Includes general recommendations of the ICRC sent to the South African Government (18 June 1964), the SA government reply, conditions at Leeuwkop, Robben Island, Victor Verster, Vooruitsig Prison Kroonstad, and other prisons, Robert Sobukwe on Robben Island. Relates to Rivonia Trial in terms of conditions in prison for trialists once convicted.

Not available for inspection at time of this audit.

International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF)

Hilda and Rusty Bernstein Papers

Rusty (Lionel) Bernstein's Papers include personal correspondence to family and comrades, professional documentation relating to his career as an architect and inventor, and a large collection of writing, including drafts and material for his political biography "Memory Against Forgetting" as well as articles, essays and literature relating to prominent events in the liberation struggle (the 1946 Mine Workers Strike, The Freedom Charter and the Rivonia Trial). The collection also includes written material relating to his political career in the Communist Party and involvement with the ANC and as editor/contributor to journals like Fighting Talk and The African Communist and a lecture series given in Moscow to young militants of the ANC. Hilda Bernstein's papers include a series of journals dating from 1967 to 2001 and personal diaries written whilst in prison, and on travels throughout South Africa and Europe. A large part of the collection marks her involvement with women's rights and work for the ANC Women's League. There is also a considerable collection of art records documenting her career in London and Europe. The bulk of the collection is comprised of records relating to Hilda's extensive writings - books, articles and political literature. Of particular prominence is material collected for her most recent book "The Rift", which captures the experiences of South African exiles. There is also a large collection of correspondence both personal and professional and political brochures relating to her position as City Councillor for the Communist Party in Johannesburg from 1943 to 1946. The records kept by Hilda (viewed as 'evidence' of Hilda's activities) far outnumber those kept by Rusty. It would be misleading to presume that this is in any way a complete archive of the Bernstein's activities.

Records directly related to the Rivonia Trial are:
D1.2 Sketches, Rivonia Trial done by Hilda on scraps of paper in black pen during the trial. There are drawings of the judge, Special Branch policemen, court scenes and the back of the heads of the accused.
F2.18 Article by Hilda: "The Rivonia Trial" (1 December 1963), 4 pages of a reflection on the trial
F2.23 Article by Hilda: "The Men Who Many Die" (8 March 1964)
F2.25 Article by Hilda: "Rivonia" Landmark in SA Liberation Struggle" (24 June 1964) detailing what happened at Rivonia
F3.36 Article by Hilda: "The Trials of Nelson Mandela" (undated)
R3.1 Article in Sechaba 1989: "Rivonia: Telling it as it was"
V2.1 Transcript of Judge's remarks when passing sentence in the trial (photocopy)
V2.2 "Rivonia: The Story of Accused No. 11" by Bob Hepple. Memoirs (manuscript) with letters from Sisulu and Joffe as appendix.

Minor references to the Rivonia Trial are:
B2.1 Diary notes where Hilda refers visiting Rusty in jail, going to court and consulting with lawyers amongst other things
I11.1.2 Letter addressed to Rusty from Hilda in Pretoria Jail. Aside from address, not reference to trial or Rivonia events.
N4 Correspondence re his inventions and other business between Rusty and Hilda while he was in prison during the Rivonia Trial
Q1 Draft Novel by Rusty written in Pretoria Local Prison during the trial in 1963/4. Content not related to Trial in any way.

Bernstein, Robert L

The State versus Nelson Mandela and Nine Others

Partial record of the State versus Nelson Mandela and nine others. Contains only State's Concluding Address: vol.1: A factual analysis of the documentary exhibits handed in and of the oral testimony given, by the state witnesses.

Department of Justice

Mandela Manuscripts

Presented to Lloyd Cutler by South Africa’s Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson in 1997. Lloyd Cutler was founding partner of the WilmerHale Law Firm and a civil rights activist in the US. They were to recognise the firm's role in the fight to end Apartheid.

Papers include transcripts of his speech at the 1963-64 Rivonia Trial, notes that Mandela made in his own handwriting both during his trial and as he sat in prison on the night before he heard the sentence on his life. These are copies of originals donated by President Mandela to Bram Fischer Library (now held at Historical Papers, University of Witwatersrand).

Untitled

Interview with Nelson Mandela

Part of Kairos collection.
Sound for film. Interview with Nelson Mandela re Rivonia trial (amongst other topics) in Dutch (?)

Untitled

UK: London: Anti-Apartheid Meeting Raises Funds For New World Campaign

Reuters programme from 28 February 1964 re "Torture in South Africa" - a meeting held in London to protest against Apartheid. Admission fees for the meeting went to new organisations "The World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners" formed after Rivonia Trial.

ITN Source represents the footage libraries of Reuters (including historic newsreel collections), ITN, ITV Productions, Fox News and Fox Movietone, Channel 9 News, UTV, Asian News International and other specialist collections.

Reuters

Joel Joffe Papers

Joel Joffe was one of the defence lawyers in the Rivonia Trial. This collection contains a copy of the book written by him on the Rivonia Trial, 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, a typed account of his speech in the Pretoria Regional Court, first draft of his speech and notes to be used if he was sentenced to death.

Joffe, Joel

Rivonia Trial

Records of the State vs. Nelson Mandela and nine others. Microfilm, 35 mm. Originals in South African Institute of Race Relations Archive at University of Witwatersrand (see AD1844). The microfilm is identical to the set of records at Wits and is missing the same volumes. Includes charge sheets, the indictment, opening address, statements, evidence, evaluation of evidence and exhibits, bail applications, sentencing. An important section of the collection relates to preparation of the defence as this was the defence team's set of records pertaining to the trial.

Department of Justice

The State versus Nelson Mandela and Nine Others

  • ZA ASC-UNISA MR-RT-028
  • Collection
  • 1963 - 1964
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

In Special Collections section of the UNISA Library. The records of the Supreme Court of South Africa (Transvaal Provincial Division) on the proceedings of the Rivonia Trial. The collection contains: Indictment: Annexures and Opening address (1 volume); State's Concluding Address (volumes 1-4): vol.1: A factual analysis of the documentary exhibits handed in and of the oral testimony given, by the state witnesses, vol.2: The persons who were parties to the conspiracy and the implementation thereof, vol.3: n Kritiese ontleding van sekere dokumentere bewysstukke, vol.4: A factual analysis of the defence case and of the further documentary exhibits produced in the course thereof; and Judgment and Sentence (1 volume).

Department of Justice

Records of the Foreign Office: 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

Rivonia Trial Records

Contains papers relating to Rivonia Trial made available by Joel Joffe. Copies housed in the Bram Fischer Library. Originals at Historical Papers, University of Witwatersrand, A2519 Nelson Mandela Papers: 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; the application for the remand of the trial; an application challenging the right of the court to try him and his preparatory notes. Rivonia Trial records are a typed copy of Mandela's statement from the dock (signed); final clause of statement from the dock (manuscript); notes that Mandela intended to use if he were sentenced to death when asked if he had anything to say (manuscript).

Mandela, Nelson Rolihlahla

International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) Papers: Mandela Vigil St Paul's June 1964

Correspondence (June 1964) concerning the vigils held at St Paul's and outside the South African embassy in London to coincide with the sentencing of the Rivonia trialists. Correspondents includes Canon Collins, Manuela Sykes, Dorothy Robison, Archbishop of Canterbury. Campaigns by Christian Action and the Anti- Apartheid Movement. Lists of suggested contacts in connection with the vigil.

Not available for inspection at time of this audit.

International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF)

International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) Papers: Biographical notes on Rivonia Trialists

Part of International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) Papers. Biographical notes on some of the people persecuted by the South African government for their opposition to the policies of apartheid, 30 May 1964. The list includes Nelson Mandela and other Rivonia trialists.

Available for inspection at time of audit.

International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF)

Liberal Party of South Africa Collection

Special topics/memoranda: State vs. Nelson Mandela and others. Section SV6 of the trial. Contains evidence and address in mitigation of sentence where Alan Paton is examined first by Mr Hanson for the Defence and then by Dr Yutar for the State (12 June 1964). Also description of Alan Paton 's evidence and address (seems to be a typed chapter from a book).

Liberal Party

South African Police Museum and Archives Collection

The Museum contains evidence and documentation related to high profile police investigations. Rivonia Trial material is as follows:
Artefacts taken as evidence during the raid on Liliesleaf Farm:
-Three duplication machines (Roneo 750)
-Two radio transmitters
-Typewriter
Incomplete. These came to the Museum from John Vorster Square Police Station. They were then transferred back to the Police Station. When they were finally returned to the Museum, some artefacts and evidence was missing.

Archival files contain:
-One page on artefacts and their significance when transferred from John Vorster Square Police Station to the Museum in 1984.
-Labels from artefact evidence
-Pamphlets collected as evidence
-Instruction manual for duplication machine
-Press clippings from trial
-State's Concluding Address III (Afrikaans)
All 639.29-2/2A

Untitled

The Voice of Nelson Mandela

Extracts from his famous Statement from the Dock. Produced in 2001.

South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

Mandela Trials Papers

Photocopies of papers collected by Joel Joffe, lawyer acting for Nelson Mandela, relating to Mandela's trial in Pretoria (1962) and the Rivonia Trial (1963-1964); including Mandela's application to have the Pretoria trial postponed, October 1962; Mandela's address to the court in mitigation of the sentence of five years imprisonment, detailing his political commitment and activities in the African National Congress (ANC), November 1962; copy of the indictment in the Rivonia Trial, initial statement made by Mandela to his lawyers, giving details of his early life; notes by Mandela on his life and ANC association; copy of Mandela's statement from the dock, signed by Mandela, manuscript notes by Mandela to use if he were sentenced to death, and manuscript notes by Mandela referring to the tribal council called Imbizo.

Joffe, Joel

UK: Protest Against South African Sabotage Trial Sentence - Petition for United Nations

Reuters programme from 15 June 1964 re Mr Butler, Britain's Foreign Secretary, telling that the South African government were aware of British government's objection to the Rivonia Trial but that the matter should not be taken further while there was still a question about whether they would appeal. Also re petition to the UN calling for release of all political prisoners in South Africa.

ITN Source represents the footage libraries of Reuters (including historic newsreel collections), ITN, ITV Productions, Fox News and Fox Movietone, Channel 9 News, UTV, Asian News International and other specialist collections.

Reuters

Nelson Mandela Papers

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; the application for the remand of the trial; an application challenging the right of the court to try him and his preparatory notes. Rivonia Trial records are a typed copy of Mandela's statement from the dock (signed); final clause of statement from the dock (manuscript); notes that Mandela intended to use if he were sentenced to death when asked if he had anything to say (manuscript). There are copies of these in the Legal Resources Centre, Bram Fischer Library, Johannesburg.

Mandela, Nelson Rolihlahla

Records of Secretary-General U Thant

Includes:
-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

Records of Secretary-General U Thant

Includes:
-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, to the UN Secretary-General, U Thant, about the South African crisis. Luthuli makes reference to the Rivonia Trial and the danger that some or all of the accused may 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.
-Record of the 1128th meeting of the UN Security Council, with commentary from Mr. Hsuch, 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 Mandela, Sisulu and others.

U Thant

Collectie Komitee Zuidelijk Afrika

Correspondence, memoranda, campaign materials and lists. The collection includes:
-Correspondence between the Komitee Zuidelijk 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.

Komitee Zuidelijk Afrika

Rivonia Trial

Records of the State versus Nelson Mandela and nine others. Contains: the first and second indictments, bail applications, opening address, index to state witnesses and exhibits. The records of state witnesses are: general, from East London and from Port Elizabeth. Also contains the opening address of the defence, Mandela's statement from the dock, the argument by the state, analysis of defence evidence, the judgement, evidence in mitigation of sentencing and judgement on sentence.

Department of Justice

Records of the Foreign Office: 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

International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) Papers: Release of RivoniaTrialists

  • ZA UWCRIMA MR-RT-076
  • Collection
  • 1962 - 1964
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

Pamphlets (international) calling for the release of the Rivonia trialists; campaigns to save lives of the Rivonia Trialists by Anti Apartheid Movement; original letter dated 5/11/1962 from Nelson Mandela to Canon Collins, acknowledging support received from Christian Action. Also records related to 1962 trial of Mandela.

Not available for inspection at time of this audit.

International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF)

Rivonia Trial, South Africa, 1963-4: Nelson Mandela Dictabelt Dubbings

Dubbings of seven dictabelts loaned by the National Archives of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa, of court recordings made at the Court of Justice in Pretoria on 20 April 1964. The blue 'dictabelts' are a type of audio recording, developed by the Dictaphone company, which was mainly used in offices between the 1940s and the 1960s. The short broad plastic belts were capable of being flattened and posted but could not be wiped and reused. It appears that the whole Rivonia Trial was recorded on dictabelts in line with normal court procedure at the time. These dubbings comprise only the opening of the defence case by Defence Counsel Bram Fischer, followed by interjections from Justice Quartus de Wet and Prosecutor Percy Yutar, then a three-hour speech by Accused Number One (Nelson Mandela). Extracts from the recordings have been published by SABC entitled 'The voice of Nelson Mandela: extracts from famous speeches', SABC/EMI, 2002 (EMI 724353736521; NSA shelfmark 1CD0189137).

Transcripts available.

Untitled

Rivonia Trial

Partial record of the State versus Nelson Mandela and nine others. Bound volumes. Provenance unknown. Contains: State's Concluding Address (volumes 1-4): vol.1: A factual analysis of the documentary exhibits handed in and of the oral testimony given, by the state witnesses, vol.2: The persons who were parties to the conspiracy and the implementation thereof, vol.3: n Kritiese ontleding van sekere dokumentere bewysstukke, vol.4: A factual analysis of the defence case and of the further documentary exhibits produced in the course thereof; and Judgement and Sentence (1 volume).

Department of Justice

Prosecution Records

  • ZA NARSSA MR-RT-005
  • Collection
  • 1963 - 1964
  • 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

Norwegian Labour Movement: Press Clippings Collection

  • NO NLMAL MR-RT-034
  • Collection
  • 1952 - 1965
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

Collection of news clippings, mostly in Norwegian, that include:
-Historical profiles of Mandela
-Rivonia Trial, with references to Mandela and Percy Yutar (1964), and reports on Mandela and others being found guilty on charges of sabotage
-Telegram sent to Verwoerd by 21 Norwegian youth organisations, in protest against the life sentences imposed on Mandela and other prisoners
-Reactions to the Rivonia Trial judgement by the Foreign Minister of Great Britain, Richard Butler, as well as a statement by Verwoerd that Mandela and his men are in the category of spies, and that they have a communist plan to take over the world

Untitled

Records of Secretary-General U Thant

Includes:
- 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 nation wide stay-at-home strike as a means of protest.
- 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 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, Mandela in hiding, the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the purchasing of the Lilliesleaf Farm and the Rivonia Trial, 1966.

U Thant

South African Political Papers of His Honour Judge Kellock

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

Norwegian Action Against Apartheid

  • NO NLMAL MR-RT-033
  • Collection
  • 1964 - 1967
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

Translated from Norsk Aksjon Mot 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.
-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

Records of 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 6 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

Records of Secretary-General U Thant

Includes:
-The text of a statement by Achkar Marot, the Guinea representative to the UN, with reference to Nelson Mandela's imprisonment on Robben Island.
-A 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

Nelson Mandela Papers

  • ZA UWCRIMA MR-RT-082
  • Collection
  • 1963 - 1967
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

Small collection of 1 hanging file. Includes copies of 1960s Umkhonto we Sizwe and ANC flyers signed in 1993 by Mandela. Although not directly related to Rivonia Trial, material like this was evidence used by state against the accused in the trial.

Untitled

The National Security File: Country File: Africa, Union of South Africa

The National Security File was the working file of President Johnson's special assistants for national security affairs, McGeorge Bundy and Walt W Rostow.
Vol. 1, 11/63 - 10/64; vol. 2, 11/64 - 9/66; vol. 3, 10/66 - 9/68 contain scattered references to the Rivonia Trial.

This repository may include other references to the Rivonia Trial in Presidential correspondence, National Security Memoranda, White House Central Files, Office Files of White House Aides. These were not confirmed in this audit.

Johnson, Lyndon B.

Records of the ANC French Mission

Video on the history of the ANC, 1949-1960s, entitled Viva Mandela that refers to Rivonia Trial.

African National Congress (ANC) French Mission

Records of the Publications Control Board

This board was responsible for classifying documents for censorship or banning pre 1970. The references below are not the actual documents but rather reports and notes written by those classifying them. Also see Records of the Department of Home Affairs, Director of Publications, Cape Town (Complaints and Appeals) in this database
966/66, volume 71: Book: L'Apartheid: on Nelson Mandela: Objectionable Literature (1966)
418/66, volume 67: : Nelson Mandela versus The State: Objectionable Literature (1966)
1319/45, volume 61: I am Prepared to Die, Nelson Mandela: Objectionable Literature (1965)

Publications Control Board

National Archives and Records Administration Records: Department of State and Embassies in Southern Africa

The documents related to the Rivonia Trial described below are from Record Group 59 which reflects the diplomatic work of the Department of State and embassies in southern Africa, particularly in South Africa. References to these records were identified, inventoried and made searchable as part of the South African Research and Archival Project (SARAP) at Howard University in Washington, D.C. designed to identify, locate, inventory and disseminate information pertaining to the involvement of Americans in the liberation struggle of South Africans, especially during the anti-apartheid movement. The records themselves can only be accessed at the National Archives repository listed below. These may not be a comprehensive listing of all State Department records related to the Rivonia Trial.

Box 2637: Political 30-2 S AFR: Documents pertaining to various individuals and organizations, including ANC, UNIAS, OAU, African Liberation Committee [ALC], PAFMECA, ANC, SWAPO, SWANU, and PAC. A report on ANC's statement on the Rivonia Trial and a PAC representative in Ghana, Matthew Nkoana. Airgram memoranda with the following subjects, "First Issue of Pan Africanist Congress Information Bulletin," "ANC Statement on Rivonia Trial Verdict," "Report on Political Exiles from South and South-West Africa," and "Representative of Pan Africanist Congress Begins Writing for Ghanaian Newspaper" (1964-1966). Discussed or referenced: James Hadebe, Jacob, Nyoase, E.L. Ntloedibe, Raymond Kunene, Robert Resha, Tennyson Makewane, Jacob Nyoase, Colin Legum, Jariretundu Kozunguizi, Sam Nujoma, and John Eldridge of the African-American Institute.
Box 2636: POL 29 S AFR 8/1/64: Documents pertaining to the Rivonia Trial, including a memorandum of conversation with Abraham Fischer, Attorney General for convicted saboteurs; kidnapping of Rosemary Wentzel from Swaziland to South Africa; Eastern Cape communism trial of 74 Africans; and sentencing of Pascal Ngcane, Chief Albert Luthuli's Son-in-Law.
Box 2636:POL 29 S AFR 6/1/64: Documents pertaining mostly to the Rivonia Trial; reactions from around the world on the trial, including protests from the US National Council of Churches and ANC statement from Tanzania on the trial; criticism from Jomo Kenyatta of Britain and US support for South Africa.
Box 2636: POL 29 Arrests, Detention S AFR 5/1/64: Documents pertaining to trials and detentions in South Africa including the Rivonia trial and detention of Chief Albert Luthuli; mentioned in the reports include Raymond Mhlaba, Ahmed Kathrada, Walter Sisulu and Lionel Bernstein; a report on a Nigerian government official regarding problems that would erupt if Mandela and others were given death sentences; a letter to the President of the UN Special Committee on Apartheid regarding trials in South Africa and memorandum on the reply from the President. A confidential memorandum and report on "The Apartheid Trials in South Africa," including a discussion of the Rivonia Trial. Several telegrams concerning the Rivonia trial. Discussed or referenced: Govan Mbeki, Albert Luthuli, Nelson Mandela, Lionel Bernstein, Ahmed Mohamed Kathrada, Walter Sisulu, African National Congress, the Pan Africanist Congress, and the Communist Party of South Africa. A telegram with abridged statistics on black and white land use, salaries, malnutrition, and morbidity in South Africa. (1963).

US State Department

Twenty Five Years of Apartheid

Panorama Series. Very short clip where Winnie Mandela greets the crowds with a raised fist and the BBC reporter Robin Ray reads out the statements made at the Rivonia Trial, including that of Nelson Mandela. FA8576: Complete 16mm print on one reel; FA5093: Reel one of two; FA5094: Reel two of two. Also on VHS.

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Mary Benson Papers

  • GB ULSOAS MR-RT-147
  • Collection
  • 1946 - 1974
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

The sections of the collection related to the Rivonia Trial are press cuttings concerning political protest, especially the Treason and Rivonia Trials c 1958-1962. Related collection also at Institute of Commonwealth Studies, London University.

Benson, Mary

Records of the Garment Workers Union

Minutes, correspondence, memoranda, printed items (including the Garment Worker), press clippings and photographs relating to the Garment Workers Union and its predecessor, the Witwatersrand Tailors Association. One paragraph in one item mentions the Rivonia Trial in Bba2.2.11 General correspondence 1951-1973. It is contained in a letter written by Violet Weinberg to Anna Scheepers re Weinberg's dismissal from the Industrial Council for the Clothing Industry (August 1964). Weinberg voices disagreement with Scheepers on a number of political and union-related points. It is in this context that political developments like the Trial are mentioned.

Garment Workers Union (GWU)

Papers of John Mendelson, M P

Letters, circulars, reports relating to South Africa including letter from the British Consulate-General in Johannesburg re the Rivonia Treason Trial (1963), copy of a letter from David Astor to Harold Wilson (1965), letter from Stop the Seventy Tour re possible resumption of arms sales (1970), letter from John Mendelson to David Astor re Nelson Mandela and his colleagues (1974).

Mendelson, John

South African Trials

Transcripts of political cases.
Peripherally related to the Rivonia Trial is File 4: Inquest to establish cause of death of Looksmart Ngudle. It contains: transcript of complete proceedings. Pretoria, 21st Oct. 1963 - 23rd Dec. 1963. Looksmart Ngudle, a ninety-day detainee held under the Sabotage Act, was found dead, hanging in his cell at Pretoria Central Police Station, on September 5th, after 16 days in detention. He had been arrested in Cape Town and was found in possession of a firearm and some African National Congress leaflets. The four witnesses, held at the same time as Ngudle, said when cross-examined by the Defence that they had been tortured with electric shocks and severe beatings. One said that he was forced to sign a statement claiming that Ngudle was an important Umkonto we Sizwe leader (Ngudle was named in the Rivonia Trial as a co-conspirator). Each of the witnesses stated that Ngudle had told them that he was being tortured. The state claimed that Ngudle hanged himself because he had betrayed his comrades and had been told that he was going to be sentenced to death anyway. Further evidence of torture was ruled irrelevant: the court refused to accept the Defence's contention that torture (which the police denied) was a contributing factor to Ngudle's suicide. The hearing was adjourned.

Untitled

Trials

Press summaries and bulletins of the Treason Trials' Defence Fund 1958-1961; press clippings on the Rivonia Trial (including on Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu) 1964, Abram Fischer 1965-1966, trial of 22 (including Winnie Mandela) 1969-1970, S Cooper and others 1975, Breyten Breytenbach 1977, Solomon Mahlangu 1977-1978; record of proceedings of W W Twala and Others in the Supreme Court of South Africa (Transvaal Provincial Division) 1978-1979 (pages 1-2554).

Institute of Race Relations (IRR)

Carter-Karis Collection of South African Materials

  • ZA ASC-UNISA MR-RT-107
  • Collection
  • 1960 - 1980
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

This extensive collection was purchased by UNISA from Cooperative Africana Microfilm Project (CAMP). It is housed in Documentation Centre for Africa Studies. A microfilm reel guide is also available there. Rivonia Trial material is found at 2:YR2:84, 92, 97, and 99. It contains reaction to Rivonia, the States' "A factual analysis of the documentary exhibits handed in and of the oral testimony given at the so-called Rivonia Trial", documents seized in searched connected with the Rivonia Trial, and newspaper clippings.

Karis, Thomas

Jack and Ray Simons Papers

This extensive collection reflects the immense contribution made by the Simons' to the political, trade union and intellectual life of South Africa. F9.3 Trials: Treason and terrorism, 1957-1989 has one item related to the Rivonia: an ANC booklet entitled "South Africa on Trial: Behind the Rivonia Case." It outlines the trial, the history of the case, defendants' biographies. The aim was to encourage pressure not to impose the death penalty. It was printed in the UK. A further item may be related to the Rivonia Trial or to previous trials (it is undated): Typed notes (with manuscript additions) on High Treason and the South African Law.

Simons, Jack

South African Documents and Press Clippings Collection

Documents and press clippings concerning various topics related to South African politics and government. Includes press clippings on four political trials: Bram Fischer Trial, Rivonia Trial, Trial of 22, Breyten Breytenbach Trial.

Untitled

Brian Bunting Papers

  • ZA UWCRIMA MR-RT-057
  • Collection
  • 1930 - 1980
  • 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

South African Institute of Race Relations Photograph Collection

Forms part of archives of South African Institute of Race Relations. Photographs mainly from Drum Magazine relating to politics and political figures. Photographs related to Rivonia Trial are under 15 personalities: 2. Arthur Goldreich (bearded), 3. Goldreich with Abdulhay Jassat (29/9/63), 4. Goldreich with ? (possibly Harold Wolpe) as refugees in Francistown? 1963, 5a Arthur Goldreich, 5b-d Contact prints of Goldreich and others; 26. Trials: 6-7 Women demonstrating during the Rivonia Trial 1964.

South African Institute of Race Relations

Ruth First Papers

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

Episcopal Church People for Southern Africa

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

Records of the Archibishops of Cape Town Part II

This large collection of records of the Anglican Church contains, amongst other things, much about the Church’s confrontation with the State over the issue of apartheid, notably the effects of the Group Areas Act on black churches in white areas and the admission or all races to church schools. Other topics are conscientious objection and the refusal of young Anglicans, both lay and clerical, to serve in the South African Defence Force and the question of Namibia’s independence and the expulsion of Bishops Mize and Winter for promoting it. C85 Current legislation (1957 - 1978) includes: 1964 correspondence re death sentence and long imprisonment for those convicted in the Rivonia Trial.

Anglican Church

Bailey's African History Archive

The entire collection at Bailey's emanates from Drum Magazine. It includes a full set of South African Drum (1951-1984), issues of its sister publications, Drum from other African countries, and an extensive archive of Drum photographers.

A number of articles in various issues of South African Drum relate to the Rivonia Trial:
-August 1963 "The Raid" accompanied by artist Lennie Saks' drawings, re the arrests at Liliesleaf.
-December 1963 "South Africa goes on Trial" with photos and text about main protagonists (Vorster, Mandela)
-January 1964 entitled "They made the news in 1963" and "While the world watches 40 fight for their lives" about the three sabotage trials (Rivonia Trial in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pietermaritzburg) with photographs and captions about each person (available online).
-June 1964 "The Rivonia men" with a profile of Mandela, Kathrada, Bernstein, Goldberg, Sisulu, Mbeki and "Rivonia - the three mystery men" profiling Mhlaba, Mlangeni, Motsoaledi.
-July 1964 "After the Trial - Sabotage!" and "I'll never forget Rivonia" by Aggrey Klaaste
-August 1964 "The strange world after Rivonia"

An article in the Post related to Rivonia:
-September 1963 "Kill Goldreich Plot - The one who got away" (available online)

Photographs are arranged under subject headings and are by Drum photographers:
Envelope under subject of "Rivonia Trial/Winnie Mandela/Liliesleaf Farm, Drum December 1963-January 1964":
-Includes photos of family members outside the court in 1963, mostly Winnie Mandela, Mrs Mandela (Mandela's mother), contact sheets, various shots of the crowd and police cordoning off crowd with dogs, policemen at Liliesleaf Farm entrance.

Two envelopes under subject " Winnie Mandela"
-Various pictures of Winnie Mandela and children at different times, these include some from the outside the court during Rivonia Trial (mostly same as in Rivonia Trial envelope)

No Rivonia Trial photos were found under other trialists' names in subject folders. The photographs that exist of them come mostly from the Treason Trial.

Photographs online include ones mentioned above and photo of Lionel Bernstein and photographs of Liliesleaf Farm (search "Rivonia" in online search).

Drum Magazine

Records of the African National Congress (ANC)

Constitution, minutes, reports, resolutions, Treason Trial legal records, press statements, speeches, correspondence, press clippings, pamphlets, periodicals, notes, and items on the A.N.C. Youth League and the A.N.C. Women's League together with other organisations such as the All African Convention, All African People's Conference and the South African Congress of Democrats. Subjects are apartheid, African nationalism, passes, education, Freedom Charter and the activities of the ANC in exile. Forms part of the archives of the South African Institute of Race Relations. Two items relate to the Rivonia Trial under Fa: Policy statements by ANC and related organisations (1946-1973): Fa46 "Stand by our leaders" (1964, 1 p.Ts. Asking for a boycott for 12 June when Rivonia Trialists will be sentenced) and Fa47 "The message of Rivonia" (1964, 1p. Ts.).

African National Congress (ANC)

Benjamin Pogrund Papers

Benjamin Pogrund was a journalist. The collection includes correspondence, telexes, memoranda, press cuttings, printed items re the Rand Daily Mail, black rights and attitudes, riots, political prisoners, apartheid, the homelands, labour legislation, race relations, the Schlebusch Commission, treason trials, detentions, bannings, forced removals, labour, education and trade unions. See I3.1 for 2 files related to the Rivonia Trial: Index to witnesses and The State vs. Abram Fischer and Others.

Pogrund, Benjamin

Records of the American Committee on Africa (ACOA)

35mm. Originals at the Amistad Research Centre, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Documents the pioneering anti-apartheid group in the US from its establishment in the 1950s. Reels related to Rivonia Trial are:
4:0827: Campaign against South African Apartheid: Memos, draft letters to and lists of sponsors, resolutions and declarations, flyers, clippings and notes 1963 (1960-1964). 87 frames. Major topics: Appeal for action against Apartheid, Rivonia arrests and trials, international boycott of South African goods etc.
15:1071: 108/5: African National Congress Pamphlets. 27 frame. Includes 1072: South African on Trial: Behind the Rivonia Case (no date). 13 frames.
22:1205: 111/12. Mandela, Nelson (ca. 1964). 31 frames. Major topic: Rivonia trial.
41:0798: 118/35. World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners: Rivonia Trial: Newsletters, statements, press releases, brochure (1963-1964). 31 frames.
42:0784: 119/23. Writings: Chief Albert Luthuli (1957 and 1964). 9 frames. Major topics: Racial situation, Rivonia trial, ANC.
42:0841: 119/26. Writings: Nelson Mandela (1961 and 1964). 70 frames. Major topics: 1961 Stay-at-home demonstration, Rivonia trial.

American Committee on Africa

Records of the American Committee on Africa (ACOA)

Documents the pioneering anti-apartheid group in the US from its establishment in the 1950s. Documents related to Rivonia Trial are:
-Campaign against South African Apartheid: Memos, draft letters to and lists of sponsors, resolutions and declarations, flyers, clippings and notes 1963 (1960-1964). Major topics: Appeal for action against Apartheid, Rivonia arrests and trials, international boycott of South African goods etc.
-African National Congress Pamphlets. Includes: South African on Trial: Behind the Rivonia Case (no date).
-Mandela, Nelson (ca. 1964). Major topic: Rivonia trial.
-World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners: Rivonia Trial: Newsletters, statements, press releases, brochure (1963-1964).
-Writings: Chief Albert Luthuli (1957 and 1964). Major topics: Racial situation, Rivonia trial, ANC.
-Writings: Nelson Mandela (1961 and 1964). Major topics: 1961 Stay-at-home demonstration, Rivonia trial.

Microfilm versions available at Manuscripts and Archives, University of Cape Town.

American Committee on Africa

Mandela

Political biography of Nelson Mandela and his unique role in the liberation struggle in South Africa. Includes archive material of the Treason trial, the Rivonia trial and a filmed interview while underground. Directed by Lionel Ngakane and Niven Howie. Produced by Divemay Films. Edited by Julia Beer.

Untitled

South Africa Conspiracy Trial

Copies of records of the Delmas Treason Trial. Members of the 22 accused included Patrick Baleka, 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 all political prisoners. The records also include state prosecution assessments of witness statements.

Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement (IAAM) Collection

  • ZA UWCRIMA MR-RT-061
  • Collection
  • 1961 - 1989
  • 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)

International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) Papers: Trials

  • ZA UWCRIMA MR-RT-080
  • Collection
  • 1956 - 1989
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

Drafts, memos, Treason Trial Defence Fund correspondence, various Treason Trial documents. Apparently also includes Rivonia Trial brief, Rivonia Trial extracts of records.

Not available for inspection at time of this audit.

International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF)

Denis Goldberg Collection

  • ZA ASC-UNISA MR-RT-102
  • Collection
  • 1980 - 1989
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

Part of Documentation Centre for African Studies at UNISA Library. Denis Goldberg donated sound cassettes and videos about his life during the Struggle, as well as on his work after he was released. The only part of the collection directly related to the Rivonia Trial are the sound cassettes which have been put on CD (CD numbers correspond with cassette numbers). CDs re Rivonia Trial:
2A, 2B, 3A, 3B (1985): Interview of Denis Goldberg by John Pampallis including discussion of start of armed struggle, Liliesleaf, Rivonia Trial, imprisonment and release.
7A, 7B (1985/6): Discussion with R and C Boon re struggle time, Rivonia Trial, armed struggle.
26A, 26B (1993): Reconstruction of Rivonia for Radiowerf Amsterdam (?). New owners of Liliesleaf talk. Dutch narrative with English in background.

Goldberg, Denis Theodore

Harold Wolpe Papers

  • ZA UWCRIMA MR-RT-066
  • Collection
  • 1980 - 1989
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

There is no direct link between this material and Harold Wolpe's political activities at the time of the arrest at Rivonia, his subsequent arrest on the border of British Bechuanaland (now Botswana) or his ultimate escape but it is included as it speaks to the interests of one of those involved in activities at Liliesleaf farm. In fact, Harold Wolpe handled the purchase of the famous Rivonia farm.
This collection mostly comprises academic papers and articles related to economics, sociology, women, development labour etc. It also contains reports and journals.

Wolpe, Harold

South Africa: The Making of US Policy: 1962-1989

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

International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) Papers: Rivonia Trial

  • ZA UWCRIMA MR-RT-081
  • Collection
  • 1963 - 1989
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

File: Rivonia Trial correspondence, statements, finance etc:
-Correspondence by Bram Fischer to Canon Collins and vice versa re: the guilty verdict and responding to the messages of sympathy on death of Molly Fischer.
File: Rivonia Trial 1963-1964
-Walter Sisulu statement on which his evidence was led with handwritten annotations
-Press clippings
-Walter Sisulu: extracts of evidence: Examination by Bram Fischer and cross examination by Percy Yutar
-Extracts of evidence by Govan Mbeki
-Notes made by Govan Mbeki regarding his interrogation whilst under 90 day detention.
-Ahmed Kathrada: extract of evidence examination by Vernon Berrange
-Elias Motsoaledi statement at the Trial
-Lionel Bernstein extracts of some evidence: cross examination by Percy Yutar
-Pamphlet entitled " My fight is for all: Mandela tells court of ANC objectives" extracts of Mandela's statement from the dock as printed by the Rand Daily Mail

File: Collins2/6 mainly concerning the Rivonia Trial (1964):
-Handwritten notes
-Correspondence . Correspondence include Freda Nuell, J Hadebe, Canon Collins, E.S. Reddy, Hugh Lewin, Joel Joffe Raymond Kunene, Rica Hogdson
-Typescript- biography of Nelson Mandela
-Draft articles concerning the imprisonment of Mandela and the Rivonia Trialists
-Rivonia Trial - statements of accounts and annexure of monies received
-Decision by Trialists not to appeal against their sentence
-Statements against the Rivonia Trial sentences by Canon Collins and others
-Christian Action article entitled " Mandela: a message from prison"
-Press statements on the sentence issued by the Africa Bureau and by Canon Collins
-Correspondence concerning the sentencing
-Typescript of Mandela statement from the dock " Why I am ready to die" with original annotations
-Articles on the Rivonia Trial
-Statement issued by Mr. Tom Kellosk at a press conference called by Christian Action January 15 1964 concerning the Rivonia Trial
-Statement by Canon Collins on behalf of Christian Action
-Anti- Apartheid Movement profile of Mandela and reproductive extracts from his statement from the dock
-Notes for adverts and letters re: Rivonia Trial

Also includes:
-Typescripts of draft articles on the Rivonia Trial some of them written by E.S. (Solly) Sachs
-A pamphlet entitled the " Message of Rivonia"

Not available for inspection at time of this audit.

International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF)

Times Media Collection

Black and white negatives from Rand Daily Mail and Sunday Times newspapers. Selected prints also available. Rivonia Trial photographs consists of: police roadblocks stopping people on their way to hear judgement (11 June 1964); crowds outside the court awaiting judgement; Winnie Mandela, Albertina Sisulu, Mandela's mother, Leslie Minford, Annie Goldberg, Hilda Bernstein arriving to hear judgement (11 June 1964); police and Winnie Mandela outside the courtroom, pictures of the accused (Mandela, Sisulu, Mhlaba, Mlangeni, Motsoaledi, Bernstein, Hepple, Kathrada, Mbeki, Goldberg) and others (Ben Turok, Moses Kotane, J B Marks, Tennyson Makiwane, Dr Arthur Letele, Joe Slovo). Also one picture of police at Liliesleaf Farm (PH2003-773).

Rand Daily Mail

Percy Yutar Papers

Acquired from the Yutar family.
-Eight scrapbooks labelled "The Rivonia Trial 11 July 1963-12 June 1964 as reported by the press from 28 August 1963 to 13 June 1999". They contain a timeline of events, clippings labelled with the date. Also seven scrapbooks labelled "Soweto Riots". It is unclear whether Yutar compiled the scrapbooks or only collected the clippings.
-One lever arch file containing a manuscript for a book by Percy Yutar entitled "The Rivonia Trial - The Facts (based in authentic documentary exhibits)". The manuscript contains a preface and a breakdown of chapters but the bulk does not read like a book but rather appears to be a reproduction of the State's trial records (indictment, State's opening address, evidence for the State, evidence for the Defence, judgement, evidence in mitigation of sentence etc).
-One volume: A factual analysis of the documentary exhibits handed in and other oral testimony given at the so-called Rivonia Trial. Inscribed: "With appreciation from B G Fourie, Secretary for Information"
-Scrapbook with clippings, photographs etc. Mostly of Yutar's career after the Rivonia Trial but a few clippings relate to the Trial from May 1964.
-Press clippings in folder in plastic sleeves re Yutar's legal career, Rivonia Trial, Excelsior case, Moodie case and others.

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, James Kantor Papers. There are also prosecution records from the Yutars in the personal collection of businessman Douw Steyn and in the National Archives (transferred from Brenthurst Library).

Untitled

Records of the Department of Home Affairs, Director of Publications, Cape Town (Complaints and Appeals)

  • ZA WCARS MR-RT-084
  • Collection
  • 1975 - 1990
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

This directorate was responsible for classifying documents for censorship or banning post 1970. The references below are not the actual documents but rather reports and notes written by those classifying them. Also see Records of the Publications Control Board in this database.
P89/04/08, volume 3/255: Statement from the dock, Rivonia Trial: Objectionable Literature (1989)
P84/6/15, volume 1/104: Pamphlet: Release Mandela Campaign Remembers Rivonia: Objectionable Literature (1984)
P83/2/26, volume P83/2/26: Sticker: The People's Leader, Denis Goldberg: Objectionable Object (1983)

Director of Publications

Department of Correctional Services Political Prisoner Files

  • ZA NARSSA MR-RT-094
  • Collection
  • 1964 - 1990
  • Part of Rivonia Trial

This collection consists of files, kept by prison authorities, on all political prisoners held in prisons in South Africa. The list for these files is in three parts but only the first two relate to Rivonia Trialists.
List A reflects files of nine people, including Kathrada, Mandela, Mbeki, Mhlaba, Mlangeni of the Rivonia Trialists. These files contain correspondence.

List B has many more political prisoners' files. These files contain general correspondence re prisoners, transfers etc. The only Rivonia Trialist in List B is Denis Goldberg.

List C deals with specific issues such as medical attention and education of prisoners but does not include any of the Rivonia Trialists.

Department of Correctional Services

South African History Archive Poster Collection

Forms part of Struggles for Justice Archival Collection at SAHA. In the formative years, SAHA was managed by non-archivists, who applied library techniques to their collection, arrangement and description activities. Materials were catalogued by subject and/or physical medium, with very little attention paid to preserving documentation in accordance with its original context or what is referred to as ‘provenance’ in archival discourse. This approach saw the emergence of six collections one of which was the Poster Collection. The collection dates mainly from the 1980s and 1990s. There are duplicate copies for a substantial proportion of the items. Posters acquired by Historical Papers are also included in this collection. All items are retrievable on a database. The book Images of Defiance: South African Resistance Posters of the 1980s (Raven Press, Johannesburg, 1991)
reproduced 327 items from the collection. Slides of the latter are also available
(see AL2432). A few individual posters relating to the Rivonia Trial are: Poster 181 (SN1096) "Release Mandela Campaign Remembers Rivonia Trial" from 1985 (?) from Release Mandela Campaign and Poster 1049 (SN599) "We remember Rivonia and life-serving prisoners: Release all political prisoners" from Release Mandela Campaign, UDF, COSATU, SAYCO from 1987 (?).

South African History Archive (SAHA)

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