Judge Thumba Pillay Collection

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ArchivalResource

Judge Thumba Pillay Collection

1959-1979

https://atom.nelsonmandela.org/index.php/za-nmcom-nmap-2010-9

This series consists of two letters smuggled out of Robben Island in 1977. Mac Maharaj gave them to Judge Thumba Pillay of legal firm of Pillay Seedat & Co. The letters are written by Nelson Mandela and Ahmed Kathrada, both of them wishing to appoint the firm to act on their behalf in legal proceedings against the Department of Prisons. Since the authorities refused contact with their attorneys, they had to use this "illegal" method to seek legal representation. The collection includes an envelope that Judge Pillay had posted addressed to his law firm. He did this in the event that the Security Police questioned him about how he received the letters, he would be able to prove that they were posted anonymously to him. A second donation of Judge Thumba Pillay contains correspondence and documents (mainly copies) pertaining to the case of Mandela vs Minister of Prisons.

7 files contained in 2 archival boxes

eng, Latn

Nelson Mandela Foundation

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 11619545

Nelson Mandela Foundation

Related Entities

There are 2 Entities related to this resource.

Kathrada, A. M. (Ahmad M.), 1929-2017

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6x95fch (person)

Ahmed Mohamed Kathrada, also known as Kathy Kathrada (b. Aug. 21, 1929–d. Mar. 28, 2017) was an anti-apartheid activist, politician, political prisoner, and MP in South Africa. He was a leading member of the ANC and of the SACP; founding member of the Transvaal Indian Volunteer Corps and its successor, the Transvaal Indian Youth Congress. Kathrada was imprisoned on Robben Island, 1964–82, then Pollsmoor Prison until his release on 15 October 1989. He served as a MP from 1994, after South Africa’...

Mandela, Nelson, 1918-2013

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6cs6hck (person)

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (b. July 18, 1918, Umtata, South Africa–d. Dec. 5, 2013, Johannesburg, South Africa) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid by tackling institutionalised racism and fostering racial reconc...