First published in 1965, 117 Days: An Account of Confinement and Interrogation under South African Ninety-Day Detention Law, is Ruth First's personal narrative of her imprisonment by the South African government. She was married to Joe Slovo, the leader of the Communist Party in South Africa, and was one of the early detainees during the 1960s crackdown. After her release, she continued her opposition to the government until she was killed by a letter bomb in 1982. Her imprisonment story represents the experience of a white South African who stood against apartheid.

A more recent depiction of South Africa's treatment of black citizens is John Briley's 1987 novel, Cry Freedom. Adapted into a film with the same title, this work narrates the true story of Donald Woods, a white journalist determined to interview Steven Biko. Tragically, Biko is imprisoned by the government and dies while in custody. Recent amnesty hearings in South Africa have confirmed that he was indeed killed by the guards, validating long-held assertions by human rights advocates.

Despite Nelson Mandela enacting a new constitution in South Africa, Albie Sachs's discussions on the complexities of this process remain relevant. His 1991 publication, Protecting Human Rights In a New South Africa, is noteworthy for its exploration of the legal and social intricacies involved in drafting a constitution designed to protect all South Africans.

Insights into apartheid-era housing policies can be found in Homes Apart: South Africa's Segregated Cities, published in 1991. Edited by Anthony Lemon, the book explains how "South African cities were established by white settlers, who regarded the cities as their cultural domain." Consequently, these settlements were always intended to maintain racial segregation to preserve white cultural purity.

For an understanding of South Africa's environmental issues, refer to Apartheid's Environmental Toll by Alan B. Durning, published by the World Watch Institute. This work examines the environmental policies of the National Party since its rise to power in 1948.

A vivid portrayal of daily life during apartheid can be found in the play Woza Albert!, published in 1983. Created by Percy Mtwa, Mbongeni Ngema, and Barney Simon, the play captures everyday experiences in South Africa, from commuting by train to working under white employers.

Alan Paton's 1953 novel Too Late the Phalarope delves into the impact of South Africa's Immorality Act of 1927 on individuals' private lives. The story follows Afrikaner Pieter van Vlaanderen, who is imprisoned and ostracized by his family for having an affair with a black woman, thus violating the Immorality Act. Too Late the Phalarope illustrates how the apartheid system dehumanizes all citizens.