Forward to Freedom
Forward to Freedom tells the story of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement and its campaigns to support the people of South Africa in their fight against apartheid. The AAM also campaigned for freedom for Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Angola, and against South Africa’s attacks on its neighbours.
On this website you can find out how hundreds of thousands of people all over Britain took part in anti-apartheid activities. You can watch demonstrations and concerts, and hear from some of those involved. We hope you will find it interesting and look forward to hearing from you. Please send your feedback and questions to
The website is part of a wider education project set up by the AAM Archives Committee that includes a pop-up exhibition and learning resources. It has been funded by the Barry Amiel & Norman Melburn Trust and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and organised in partnership with Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA).
The AAM archive is held at the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford and is open to researchers on application for a Bodleian reader’s card. The archive of Wales AAM is at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth and that of the Scottish AA Committee at Glasgow Caledonian University. Records for many local AA Groups and for the London Anti-Apartheid Committee are held at local record offices – see ‘Links’.
Follow us on Twitter: @aamarchives
Latest News & Events
South African artist Norman Kaplan’s exhibition of linocuts and cartoons will go on tour in the autumn. It will be on show at the Enterprise Centre, UEA, Norwich, 30 September–11 October; Ex Libris Gallery, University of Newcastle, 21–31 October; and Swiss Cottage Library, London NW3, 7–28 November 2024. Many of the artworks first appeared in the ANC's journal Sechaba and The African Communist. The exhibition is part of the 'All Shall be Afforded Democracy' programme organised by ACTSA, the AAM Legacy Centre of Memory and Learning project and AAM Archives to mark 30 years of South Africa's liberation.
The Unlikely Secret Agent tells the story of Eleanor Kasrils, detained by the South African Security Police in 1963 for questioning about sabotage attacks in Durban. Eleanor fakes a nervous breakdown, escapes from a psychiatric institution and makes a tortuous journey over the South African border into exile. This exciting new play shows at the Marylebone Theatre in London from 28 August to 1 September, as part of the programme curated by ACTSA, the Anti-Apartheid Legacy project and AAM Archives to mark 30 years of democracy in South Africa. You can book your tickets here
The project to set up a new Centre of Memory and Learning in the former ANC London office at 28 Penton Street, Islington has taken a big step forward with the award of a £1.2 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Centre will showcase anti-apartheid campaigning to stimulate action against injustice, racism and inequality. The project already has an exciting programme of events and commissions. The new building is scheduled to open in 2025. To find out more click here.
Browse an archive of photos and documents
Former activists tell their stories
A significant part of this project was to record the experiences of former activists in Britain. Jerry Dammers formed the Specials in Coventry in 1977.
An anti-apartheid activist from his school days he helped start Artists Against Apartheid in the UK to campaign and help enforce the cultural boycott.
He wrote the song, Free Nelson Mandela, which became an international hit and helped raise awareness of the plight of Mandela and political prisoners in South Africa.
You can hear him talk about writing the song.
Learn about the history of the Anti-Apartheid Movement
In 1964 Marlon Brando asked film directors, actors and producers to forbid the screening of their films before segregated audiences in South Africa on a visit to London.
In this photograph he is at a press conference with the Anti-Apartheid Movement’s Hon. Secretary Abdul Minty.
The Rolling Stones broke off negotiations for a South African tour and the Beatles announced they opposed apartheid.
Read more about this history starting with the Boycott Movement in 1959, through the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.