Browse the AAM Archive

The September issue reported on TUC plans to send a fact-finding delegation to South Africa. It recorded the sentencing of ANC women’s leader Dorothy Nyembe to 15 years imprisonment. Julian Brutus described the impact of sports apartheid on black South Africans and announced plans to stop the British Lions rugby tour to South Africa in 1974. A centre spread reviewed the boycott of elections held in Namibia for a stooge Ovambo Legislative Assembly. AA News reported on the mass demonstration held in London against Britain’s racist Immigration Act.

The South African police shooting of 11 workers at Western Deep Levels mine was the lead story in this issue. It reported on protests against the shootings by British trade unionists. Dr Sue Dowling reviewed the campaign to expel South Africa from the World Medical Association. An article exposed the torture of civilians by the Portuguese secret police in Mozambique. A centre spread reported on atrocities by white army units in Rhodesia. A review of British companies' PR material showed how they tried to ‘whitewash’ apartheid.

The November issue led on the independence of the former Portuguese colony of Guinea-Bissau. It exposed South Africa’s new propaganda offensive, led by the secretive Club of Ten. Judith Todd reported on the Rhodesia debate at the Conservative Party conference. AA News analysed Portugal’s rigged elections. A report on the Labour Party conference deplored the lack of time allotted to debate on Southern Africa. 

In a report on the AAM’s 1973 annual general meeting, this issue highlighted the call for a boycott of South African products. It reported on new curbs on the South African press and on demands for the release of political prisoners at a conference held within South Africa. A centrespread focused on the slave labour conditions of South African agricultural workers. Roger Murray reported on the brutal treatment of Namibian political detainees.

This issue publicised the AAM’s ‘No Collaboration’ campaign, with plans for local activity asking for a total boycott of South Africa. It reported on police harassment of Asian immigrants to Britain. It critiqued the report of the 1973 TUC delegation to South Africa, arguing that apartheid could be not be reformed from within. A centrespread announced the formation of a new coalition to campaign for the release of Southern African political prisoners. The issue reported on the impact of a new Arab oil embargo on South Africa.

The March issue featured the spread of guerrilla warfare in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Sam Ramsamy described the impact of the international sports boycott of South Africa. A round-up on political prisoners featured Denis Goldberg, sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964. AA News reported on continuing unrest among Durban workers. Antonio de Figueiredo exposed the split in the Catholic church on Portuguese colonialism and Paul Ostreicher discussed the response of the Christian churches to apartheid and racism in Southern Africa.

Sports Minister Denis Howell had asked the British rugby establishment to call off its  British Lions rugby tour of South Africa, reported this issue. It featured the launch of the AAM’s ‘No Collaboration’ campaign and the new Labour Government’s appointment of AAM supporters as key ministers. It called for an end to the hanging of Zimbabwean freedom fighters. Alan Brooks reported on the findings of a Parliamentary Committee on the operations of British companies in South Africa. A feature on South African political prisoners featured Ahmed Kathrada.

The May issue featured protests within South Africa against the British Lions rugby tour. It carried a first-hand report by a ZANU fighter on the guerrilla war in Zimbabwe. It announced the formation of The Imprisoned Society (SATIS) a coalition set up to campaign for the release of political prisoners. A centrespread reported on the brutal flogging of SWAPO supporters in northern Namibia. A special feature explained how the gold price boom was fuelling the apartheid economy.