Files of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, U Thant, including: 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 nationwide stay-at-home strike as a means of protest. Nelson 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 Nelson 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, Nelson Mandela in hiding, the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the purchasing of the Lilliesleaf Farm and the Rivonia Trial, 1966.
Memoranda, reports, statements, cables and project statements covering the following: 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).
Programmes and programme segments broadcast on National Public Radio. Includes reports on: Speculation on the possible release of Nelson Mandela from prison. Nelson Mandela’s views on the South African apartheid government. PW Botha’s offer to Nelson Mandela of conditional release, and Nelson Mandela’s rejection of the offer, communicated to the outside world by his daughter, Zindzi, at a mass gathering in Soweto. The firebombing of the Nelson Mandela home in Soweto. Meeting between Steven Solarz and PW Botha. The arrest of United Democratic Front (UDF) leader, Allan Boesak, ahead of a planned march to Pollsmoor Prison calling for the release of Nelson Mandela. Reports on the Pollsmoor March. Profiles of Nelson Mandela and the Mandela family. Profiles of the African National Congress (ANC), in which Mandela is mentioned. Scrapping of the pass laws in South Africa. Release Mandela Campaign, in which Aubrey Mokena, one of the campaign’s key organizers, is mentioned. Nelson Mandela’s calls for South African government negotiations with the ANC. UK Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Howe’s visit to South Africa and meeting with PW Botha. Zenani Mandela’s visit to the United States for a birthday commemoration in honour of Martin Luther King Jr. Twenty- fifth anniversary of Mandela’s imprisonment. Reports of a 1960 speech by Nelson Mandela on the reasons for the armed struggle. Free Mandela concert held at Wembley Stadium, London, in commemoration of his 70th birthday, and other commemorative events. Nelson Mandela’s hospitalisation because of tuberculosis. Reports on meetings between Nelson Mandela and PW Botha, and of his ‘secret’ negotiations with the South African government. Freeing of Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada and other long-serving political prisoners. Reports on the imminent closure of Kapitan, one of Nelson Mandela’s favourite restaurants since the 1950s. Legalisation of the ANC, and announcement of other reforms by FW De Klerk.
