'Robben Island 76-82', papers relating to political prisoners and events on Robben Island
MS. Sampson dep. 121
Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Description
From Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts
This is an extract only. For more information, see the catalogue record in Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts.
Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts contains descriptions of the Bodleian Libraries’ archival collections, including post-1500 manuscripts. Some manuscripts with records in other catalogues are also described here as part of a description of a larger archive. Learn more.
Title
'Robben Island 76-82', papers relating to political prisoners and events on Robben Island
Shelfmark
MS. Sampson dep. 121
Summary
From a bundle entitled 'Mandela '64 – '86, Robben 1 (internal)'. Includes:
partial transcript of a letter from [Ahmed Kathrada, anti-apartheid activist sentenced to life imprisonment at the Rivonia Trial], to his friend, [Sylvia Neame], describing conditions in the prison, [9 Jan. 1971], typescript
photocopies of untitled essays by Mandela and Walter Sisulu, [former Secretary-General of the ANC and a fellow prisoner of Mandela], regarding the 'liberation movement', [1976], spiral-bound typescript
photocopy of 'Summaries of Different Viewpoints' on nationalism and Marxism arising from debates among the political prisoners on Robben Island [by Ahmed Kathrada], with a photocopy of a covering note in Mandela's hand stating that the document is the product of comments made on the original draft by prisoners in his section, and that it has been approved by the H.O. ['High Organ', the ANC ruling body in the prison], [1977]
transcript of the first Bram Fischer Memorial Lecture, delivered by Mandela, concerning the life of Bram Fischer, Mandela's defence lawyer at the Treason Trial and the Rivonia trial, 9 June 1995, typescript
photocopies of 'Some thoughts on writing the history of political detention in South Africa under the apartheid system' written in 1995 by Jacques Moreillon, former ICRC Delegate-General for Africa, and extracts comprising chapter and section headings from a dissertation by Fran Lisa Buntman, University of Texas at Austin, entitled 'The Politics of Conviction: Political Prisoner Resistance on Robben Island, 1962-1991, and its Implications for South African Politics and Resistance Theory', 1997, both sent to Sampson by Moreillon, 1997, typescript
photocopy of extracts from an edition of Shakespeare's works belonging to Sonny Venkatrathnam, a fellow prisoner of Mandela, annotated by prisoners between 1975 and 1977 to indicate their favourite passages, sent to Sampson by Gail Gerhart, 1998
Date
1971-1998
Language
English
Physical extent
1 folder
View full record in Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts
Collection contents
Material relating to publications
Books
Material relating to Mandela: The Authorised Biography (London: HarperCollins, 1999)
'Robben Island 76-82', papers relating to political prisoners and events on Robben Island
