Many of the training manuals where compiled (with copyright) by M.E. Whyte, the executive director of the BLL, for the training of African and white mine workers. They contain sketches and photographs to illustrate the text. The training material is described using the terms and expressions on the mines during those years.

Course material

In April 1946 a five-year project was initiated, which aimed at developing materials and techniques for literacy classes for African adults, particularly on the gold mines, using methods developed by Frank Laubach in the Philippines in the 1930s. It was started by the South African Institute of Race Relations, and conducted through a special committee whose members included specialists form government departments, and with finance provided by the Department of Education, The Bantu Welfare Trust, private donors, and the Institute.

The years 1952 1964 were a pre-Bureau period in which work continued, and on the 1 April 1964, the Bureau of Literacy and Literature became an independent voluntary organisation, and was registered as a `non-profit making company'.

The teaching methods were based on Dr Frank Laubach's phonetic alphabet, which he developed in the 1930s in the Phillippines, and which were applicable in different languages, by using the sound of a syllable in association with a familiar picture. He would later be called "apostle of mass literacy".

Includes memorandum of association of "The African Vocational Training Services (1945) and "The South African Institute of Race Relations" (1945); papers on adult education; papers on a conference on adult education for non-Europeans (1947).

Includes correspondence with the Union Education Department, proposed projects, grant applications.

Includes statements of Revenue, Expenditure, Budget, Trial Balance and Balance Sheet.

Includes: Reports of the Adult Education Section of the S.A.I.R.R.

First report 1.4.1947-30.3.1948.

Second report 1.4.1948-31.3.1949.

Third report 1.4.1949-31.3.1950.

Includes reports on visits to Basutoland; notes for Y.M.C.A leaders.