The collection includes correspondence, extracts of birth and marriage registers, typescripts of speeches and press cuttings on war compensations.

Correspondence, memoranda, reports, minutes, interviews, photographs and posters relating to the following organisations: Black Sash, Detainees' Parents Support Committee, End Conscription Campaign, Institute for a Democratic Alternative in South Africa, Jews for Social Justice, Johannesburg Democratic Action Committee, Mass Democratic Movement, National Education Union of South Africa, National Education Crisis Committee, NUSAS and the United Democratic Front.

Subjects are Namibia, education, trade unions, women, detentions, protest theatre and the Black liberation struggle. Includes interviews with H. Barsel, I Heymann, A Sisulu, S. Kentridge, H. Joseph and D. Alexander.

The photographs are historical images of gold mining in South Africa, taken around the late 1800s to beginning 1900s. Many of the images provide a rare insight into the underground world of deep level mining on the Rand, showing miners at work, as well as mining structures and operations.

The articles relate to the chemical analysis of clay tobacco pipes, including that of William Shakespeare, which indicate the smoking of Cannabis in Shakespeare's time.

The collection contains various published items, as well as a news clip with the obituary for William ('Bill') Sutherland, a stalwart in the Labour co-operative movement in South Africa, who resided in Matatiele, East Griqualand (n.d.).

Correspondence, reports and memoranda relating to the Garment Workers Union, the South African Trades and Labour Council and the South African Defence and Aid Fund.

The collection contains the audio record and transcript of an interview with Chris Hani in 1992. The interview was taken by Reiner Leist as part of a series of portraits made between 1989 and 1993 in South Africa, which were published in his book "South Africa: Blue Portraits" in October 1996 by Nazraeli Press.

Included is the audio file of the interview; the transcript of the interview in 1992; the edited version of the interview in 1993; and a copy of the title page of the book publication.

The letter to Catherine Burns relates to her application to the Ministry of Justice to possess and consult publications affected by the Internal Security Act, 1982 (Act 74 of 1982). It is signed by HJ Coetsee, Member of Parliament, Minister of Justice.

The publications for which Catherine Burns was granted permission to possess banned publications included 'The Guardian', 'New Age', 'Fighting Talk' and 'Inkululeko', which she needed to consult for the completion of her Honours degree in History at the University of the Witwatersrand.

The collection consists of two parts A - John Matshikiza Papers, and B - Todd Matshikiza Papers.