Browse the AAM Archive

AA News welcomed the Patriotic Front's victory in the Zimbabwean elections, and called for a stepping up of campaigns against British collaboration with apartheid. It highlighted the campaign to end British uranium imports from Namibia, under a contract signed by the Labour Government. A centrespread focused on South Africa’s illegal occupation of Namibia and listed British companies that exploited Namibia's mineral resources. The issue celebrated the 25th anniversary of the formation of SACTU (South African Congress of Trade Unions) and reported on Swansea University students campaign to stop recruitment by South African companies.

Under the headline ‘Freedom for Nelson Mandela’, this issue reported on the South African Sunday Post’s petition calling for Mandela’s release. It featured a meeting held by the AAM’s Health Committee and plans by AA local groups to hold ‘Soweto walks’ to raise funds for the ANC’s Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College. A centrespread highlighted South Africa’s treatment of political prisoners, and the campaign resources produced by SATIS (Southern Africa the Imprisoned Society), the International Defence and Aid Fund and the AAM. The issue featured the AAM’s ‘Call to Action’, demanding that the government support UN economic sanctions against South Africa.

In its lead article AA News warned that the British Government was subverting UN moves to establish a democratic government in Namibia. It featured moves by British local authorities and church groups to close their accounts with Barclays Bank. It reported on the campaign to save the life of James Mange, a young freedom fighter sentenced to hang, and on new school boycotts by South African students. The issue highlighted the use of the contraceptive Depo Provera to restrict the birth rate of black South African women. It outlined AAM plans for an campaign for an end to nuclear collaboration, freedom for Nelson Mandela and a consumer boycott in June 1980. 

Under the headline ‘Mandela speaks to the world’, this issue reproduced a message smuggled out from Robben Island, and reported on the showing of a new film, ‘Portrait of Nelson Mandela’. It highlighted the shooting of more than 100 protesters in Cape Town after demonstrations by school students and action by striking workers in the Western Cape. It argued that the the ANC guerrilla attack on oil storage tanks at Sasolburg exposed the apartheid regime’s manpower crisis and inability to guard vital infrastructure. A feature on Dorothy Nyembe, serving a 15-year gaol sentence in Kroonstad women’s prison, asked readers to send her messages of support.

In its front page lead, this issue exposed a projected deal between BP and Anglo-American which would give South Africa access to North Sea oil. It carried the full text of Nelson Mandela’s message to the world and an interview with ANC leader Victor Matlou, kidnapped by South African police. A centrespread featured the war in Angola, where South Africa was fighting SWAPO guerrillas and supporting UNITA against the forces of the MPLA government. In the run-up to the British TUC annual meeting, civil servants union official Chris Easterling called on British workers to show solidarity with striking black workers in South Africa.

ANC freedom fighter James Mange’s reprieve from hanging was the front-page story in this issue. AA News called for intensified action in support of other political prisoners currently on trial in South Africa. It reported on a SWAPO conference held in Paris mobilising support from all over the world for international action to expel South Africa from Namibia. It also exposed child labour in South Africa and forced removals of black South Africans dumped in rural areas. 

In an exclusive interview with AA News, SWAPO President Sam Nujoma stressed the importance of SWAPO’s armed struggle in ending South Africa’s illegal occupation of Namibia. Abdul Minty analysed Western countries manoeuvres in the contact group set up by the UN to try to negotiate with South Africa on Namibia. AA News profiled the new South African ambassador to the UK and reported on material aid projects and action by British trade unionists in support of the Southern African freedom struggle.

This issue exposed NATO collaboration with South Africa in contravention of the UN arms embargo. It carried an interview with South African trade union leader Thozamile Botha and an appeal for the release of veteran trade unionist Oscar Mpetha. It reported on the clampdown on South African trade unions. A new pamphlet showed how the multinational Philips Group was supplying electronic equipment to the South African military. The issue reported on one of the best ever attended annual general meetings of the AAM, which endorsed an ambitious programme featuring trade unions, action on political prisoners, women’s solidarity and the campaign for independence for Namibia.