The Williams collection contains materials which relate to the development of education in Namibia. Through the work of the Commission on Higher Education, the collection documents the plans for education in a new independent Namibia including the establishment of the University of Namibia. The materials in the collection mostly constitute raw documents that were collected by the Commission as part of its consultation. All are paper documents.

The Thelma Henderson collection of some 3-400 items covers the influential period of educational development from 1974 to 2001. It includes documents on colonial education, education in South West Africa, Namibia’s education problems, education and language plans for an independent Namibia. It also covers the history of the country including the fight for freedom. The liberation struggle as well as SWAPO’s literacy campaign efforts are some of the topics found in the collection. Issues of manpower development, adult learning, role of language in development and transition needs and requirements for Namibia are included. Furthermore, the documents also refer to issues of language policy for the country and the consideration of using English as a medium of communication as well as an examination of English proficiency in Namibia. Other notable areas covered by the collection include the work of the United Nations and the UNIN on Namibian education and general development; mobilization of resources; English curriculum and syllabus; research reports on education matters; wages and salaries for the education profession; English teacher training and seminars on education in Namibia. The collection also holds documents on plans to establish an institution for higher learning in Namibia which resulted in the formation of UNAM.