Anti-Apartheid News

The September issue led on the campaign to stop the imminent execution of Solomon Mahlangu after the South African courts had refused him leave to appeal. It reported on British Government-backed computer firm ICL’s contract to supply equipment to the South African police. It published SWAPO’s response to proposals by Western governments for a UN-organised transition to independence in Namibia. A centre spread highlighted the apartheid government’s plans to pull down the Crossroads squatter camp in Cape Town. A first-hand account from Zimbabwe told of the widespread rejection of the ‘internal deal’ imposed by the Smith regime. 

This issue reported on South Africa’s rejection of the UN plan for Namibian independence. It called for a big turnout for the AAM’s International Anti-Apartheid Year rally on 21 October. UN volunteer Maggie Black described how growing numbers of Zimbabweans were fleeing the country since the imposition of the ‘internal settlement’. A centrespread urged the British Government to impose oil sanctions on South Africa. A review of political trials in South Africa revealed an upsurge in opposition to the apartheid government. AA News reported that the British Government had joined the Commonwealth’s appeal for clemency for Solomon Mahlangu.

The November issue led on the AAM’s 21 October demonstration calling for sanctions against the Smith and Botha regimes. It reported on student action on Barclays Bank and publicised a day of action on Barclays on 1 December. In a report on the 1978 Labour Party conference, Neil Kinnock called on the Labour Government to implement party policies on Southern Africa. AA News highlighted the imposition of martial law in Zimbabwe and the collapse of the country’s economy. It argued that South African Prime Minister Vorster’s retirement had no real political significance.

The December issue exposed South African attempts to take over leading British journals as part of its new public relations initiative. Patriotic Front-ZAPU leader Arthur Chadzingwa asked why the British Government had failed to enforce oil sanctions against the Smith regime. AAM Chair Bob Hughes reported on his visit to the front-line states. A centrespread recorded the campaign priorities decided at the AAM’s 1978 annual general meeting. AA News exposed intimidation in the run-up to the South African-organised ‘elections’ in Namibia. It detailed equipment supplied by the British company ICL to the South African police and army. 

This issue accused South Africa of staging rigged elections in Namibia. It showed how the Smith regime’s new ‘constitution’ for Zimbabwe would entrench white supremacy. A centrespread reviewed the achievements of the UN International Anti-Apartheid Year, 21 March 1978–20 March 1979. AA News reported on the conference organised by the AAM Health Committee and the day of action on Barclays Bank on 1 December 1978. On the 100th anniversary of the battle of Isandhlwana, a special feature remembered how Zulu warriors had defeated the British army.

In a lead article on the execution of more guerrilla fighters by the Smith regime, AA News called on the British Government to reject the ‘internal settlement’ in Zimbabwe. It announced a Zimbabwe Action Conference on 3 March. ANC President Oliver Tambo explained the role of armed struggle in the context of the ANC’s overall strategy. AA News reported on a conference on the links between the EEC and South Africa, where Tambo accused the EEC of being ‘the lifeblood of apartheid’. Industrial chaplain Julian Eagle described how he had seen at first hand the intensification of apartheid on his recent visit to South Africa. 

The April issue led on South Africa’s attacks on Angola and Mozambique. A four-page report recorded the findings of a UN Special Committee Against Apartheid seminar on nuclear collaboration with South Africa. Sam Makari, whose brother had been hanged, accused the British Government of complicity in illegal executions in Zimbabwe. AA News accused the South African Government of sabotaging UN proposals for democratic elections in Namibia. It showed how in the aftermath of the 1976 Soweto uprising, thousands of young South Africans had been put on trial and many had joined the ANC’s armed wing, uMkhonto we Sizwe.

The May issue mourned Solomon Mahlangu, a young ANC activist hanged by the apartheid government on 6 April 1979. It announced the formation of the World Campaign Against Military and Nuclear Collaboration with South Africa, launched in March. It exposed the Muldergate scandal and how the South African Government had spent millions of Rand on secret overseas projects. A centrespread looked at South Africa’s segregated education system. Margaret Ling reported on her visit to Zambia, where she had seen at first hand the result of South African napalm attacks against a Zimbabwean refugee camp.