The thatched cottage and outbuildings of Liliesleaf were used to conceal underground activities. Senior leaders of the liberation movement took refuge and attended strategy meetings there, among them Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada, Bram Fischer, Joe Slovo, Ruth First, Raymond Mhlaba, Rusty Bernstein, Bob Hepple, Harold Wolpe, Denis Goldberg and others.

Mandela lived at Liliesleaf for a short while, taking the name David Motsamayi (the name of one of his former clients) and wearing blue overalls in an attempt to look like a farm worker. Some neighbours said they often saw 'David' selling produce on the street outside the farm.