Oral interviews related to the history of Swaziland and neighbouring regions, mostly taken from oral accounts of events passed down through clans. Mainly in SiSwati with English translations in some cases.

The bulk of the material dates from 1970, collected by Philip Bonner, and 1983, collected by Carolyn Hamilton, working with a number of SiSwati-speaking researchers and assistants. Some of the interviews were undertaken at the behest of Bonner and Hamilton. Others were undertaken at the behest of the Swazi King, Sobhuza II, or by the Swaziland Broadcasting Corporation and others were collected by or given to the Swaziland Oral History Project in the early 1980's.

The description of this collection is mainly based on the written information available on the outside of tapes and tape boxes, microfiche pockets, and on the covers of the 'jotters'. It was not possible to establish the exact content on the tapes, the microfiches and slides.

Hitsquads. Testimony of a South African Security Policeman: the full story, by Dirk Coetzee

The testimony was written by Dirk Coetzee in exile, at the ANC Headquarters in Lusaka and in London, with the help of his brother Ben Coetzee. The main body was completed in 1990, and was spell checked and reprinted by Ben Coetzee in 1994.

Dirk Coetzee's testimony would also form part of the submissions to the Harms Commission of Inquiry, which he gave in London.

Sealed letter written in King Williams town to Faku, Chief of the Pondo, condemning Faku's behavior 'You did most wrongly ... your conduct has been bad. Now I call upon you ... to fall on Kreli'.

Paramount chief of the Pondos

Statement in Zulu, to the government of Natal, signed with Faku's mark.

Trade Unions, Community Organisations and politics: a local case study on the East Rand, 1980-1986.

Unpublished BA Honours Dissertation submitted at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Tribute poster to Steve Biko that was carried by mourners at his funeral in 1977, released by the Black People's Convention.
Original size 35,5 x 54,5cm.

The compilation contains a list of persons which were held in custody or listed as members of subversive organisations in terms of the Act on Terrorism, Section 6 and 29. Some of the listed persons were charged and tried.

The photographs of Joseph and David Barnett cover the early years of Johannesburg, its buildings and streets; gold mining, mainly on the Witwatersrand, but also as far as Barberton; events like the Jameson Raid in 1895, the Matabele Rebellion in 1896, the Queen Victoria Jubilee in 1897, and the South African War (Anglo Boer War) in 1899-1902; as well as personalities like Cecil Rhodes and Paul Kruger.

Photograph of Pixley ka Seme in graduation gown, at the Columbia University in 1906.

The collection relates to the events surrounding the court case MKWAYI & Others, often referred to as "Little Rivonia", as well as the arrest and trial of Nandha Naidoo in the Supreme Court of South Africa. It contains copies of Nandha Naidoo's Security Branch police file and the statement he made to his lawyers.
Also included a copy of the police list of items found at 21 Pearce Street, Doornfontein, the address at which Mac Maharaj stayed at the time and which was published in a book by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation entitled "Men of Dynamite".
Also included is a recollection of events by Nandha Naidoo entitled "The benefit of hindsight: the challenge of untangling history from legend". Here he relates to the circumstances which led to his arrest and a review of Mac Maharaj's references to him in the former memoirs written by Padraig O'Malley.

Further included an Open Letter to Mac Maharaj, 27 August 2019, and published here in digital format.

Reference is made to collection no. & item AD1901 / 35.2 State v. Nandhagopaul Naidoo in the Supreme Court of South Africa (Witwatersrand Local Division). Records of proceedings, judgement, 1965.

Further reference is made to collection AK2520 Mkwayi & Others, Trial records, 1964, which has been digitised and is fully available online.