The collection consist of a log book, minutes, correspondence, memoranda, notes, printed items, press clippings, periodicals and photographs.

The collection contains correspondence on literature, politics and education,as well as documents relating to the Rivonia and other political trials, and the Liberal Party of South Africa.

Account of a journey in 1860 by passenger cart from Cape Town proceeding by the mail cart route via Caledon, Swellendam, Heidelberg, Riversdale and George to Oudtshoorn.

Cape jurist, politician, writer and businessman

Letter, 1831 Jul.21, Colonial Office, Cape Town, from John Bell to Advocate de Wet.

Objects to de Wet's statement on the dual payment of salaries to public officials. Also draft translation in Dutch of this letter and of de Wet's reply of 25 Jul.1831.

Governor of the Cape

Letter, Cape Town to Robert Godlonton. Thanks Godlonton for his farewell letter.

Accounts and receipts issued by or to A. Borradaile, D.F. Berrangé, P. Buissine, W. Currey, J. Fairbairn, Rev. A. Faure, G. Greig, J.L. Leeb, C.J. Pike, S. Solomon, H. Somerset, P.R. van Ryneveld.

The documents relate to taxes, land, rent, tuition, goods. The following institutions are represented: the African Club, Graaff-Reinet Public Library, Groote Kerk, St. George's Church, Scottish Church, South African Fire and Life Assurance Society, South African Infant School, South African Missionary Society, South African Museum, De Zuid-Afrikaan.

Book collector and lawyer

Letters to Fairbridge from D. Arnot, J. Bird, Bishop J.W. Colenso, T. Hahn, G.W. Stow, and R. Trimen re Africana books, design for the S.A. Museum, botany, geology, bushman drawings, Damaraland and Namaqualand. Also ALS from G. Maclear, 11 June 1877, commenting on Fairbridge's discovery of Captain Cook's place of residence at the Cape.

The collection contains the interviews which were conducted from 2004-2012 as part of a unique and pioneering Archival oral history project undertaken by the Historical Papers Research Archive, University of the Witwatersrand.

The project collected personal experiences, perceptions and stories from former members of the Self Defence Units (SDUs) from Thokoza and Katlehong on the East Rand (Gauteng) and former members of the South African Defence Force (SADF), mainly ex-32 Battalion, ex-31 Battalion, Koevoet and from other permanent force and conscripts.