The personal papers of Ruth First
The collection is made up of background material, correspondence and reviews concerning "No Easy Walk to Freedom" edited by Ruth First. 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. Correspondence, mainly between Ruth First and Heinemann Publishers, as well as clippings of newspaper reviews.
Material on political detention 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 Ruth First. Press releases and conference papers concerning the Symposium on the exploitation of Blacks in South Africa and Namibia, organized by the United Nations in 1978, with observances of the 60th birthday of Nelson Mandela.
Transcripts of interviews with Robben Island political prisoners. Correspondence from friends and acquaintances, and materials from South African newspapers concerning the Rivonia Trial.

Files of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, U Thant, include:
Text of a statement by Achkar Marot, the representative of Guinea, to the UN, refers to Nelson Mandela's imprisonment on Robben Island. 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.

Records of the African National Congress Indian Mission.
The collection includes:
Personal letters of support for Nelson Mandela from Indian schoolchildren, diplomats, clubs and organizations. Conference proceedings and resolutions relating to Mandela’s imprisonment and release, and the full text of Mandela’s address in Cape Town on the day of his release from prison. Correspondence, addresses and proceedings concerning awards conferred on Mandela. These include lists of awards, declarations and medals conferred on Mandela by organisations in India and elsewhere. Correspondence, texts of speeches, poetry and photographs concerning Mandela’s visit to India in October 1990.
Photographic albums created as tributes to Mandela by the Bluebells School in New Delhi, by the government of West Bengal to commemorate Mandela’s visit in 1990, and photographs of news clippings of the Treason and Rivonia Trials.
- Letters written to Nelson Mandela
- Awards presented to Nelson Mandela

Collection of film and video recordings consisting of distribution prints and master materials (negatives, rushes, sound tracks and trims). The subjects covered include:
Nelson Mandela's early views on the objectives of the ANC and the liberation struggle. The reception given to Mandela's rejection of the regime's offer of conditional release, read by his daughter Zindzi to a vast gathering in Soweto on 10 February 1985. Commentary from activists and family members, including Winnie Mandela. Prison conditions on Robben Island including Mandela's cell, the daily routine of hard labour, diet in prison, isolation and Mandela's transfer to Pollsmoor Prison in 1985. The impact of international campaigns for the release of Mandela, including footage of the Free Mandela Campaign Concert held at Wembley Stadium in celebration of his 70th birthday.
The collection also includes interviews with Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, Andrew Masondo, Jacob Zuma, Indres Naidoo, Philip Mathews, Mary Benson, Barbara Harmel and Barry Feinberg.
It consists of both completed productions and raw footage.

Correspondence, minutes, regional and branch news, publications and reports of the Congress of Democrats
Subjects covered include:
Attempts to solicit support for a National Convention in opposition to the inauguration of South Africa
as a Republic. Nelson Mandela’s participation in the PAFMECSA conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1962. Public meetings and demonstrations, protesting the arrest of Nelson Mandela in 1962. The inauguration of the Republic of South Africa. Biographical profiles of Nelson Mandela.