Anti-Apartheid News

AA News warned of Conservative Government plans to agree a ‘sell-out’ deal with the Smith regime in Zimbabwe. It examined the Wiehahn Commission’s proposals for the reform of apartheid labour law. It announced the formation of a new AAM Teachers Network and plans for the annual NUS-AAM student conference. British observers of Rhodesia’s ‘internal elections’ described them as a ‘gigantic confidence trick’. AA News accused South Africa of ‘torpedoeing’ the UN peace plan for Namibia. It reported on a British Council of Churches report calling for economic disengagement from South Africa.

This issue again led on the British Government’s plans for a settlement with the Smith regime. It announced the formation of a Zimbabwe Emergency Campaign Committee to coordinate opposition to the proposals. It exposed the South African interests of ministers in the new Conservative Government. A centrespread reproduced the action programme adopted by the AAM’s conference for trade unionists on 2 June. ZAPU leader T G Silundika told of the growing unity between ZAPU and ZANU. AA News reported on an attack on a Soweto police station by ANC guerrillas. Local AA Groups all over Britain held sponsored walks for the ANC Freedom School in Tanzania.

AA News explained the terms on which the Zimbabwe Patriotic Front would take part in the British Government conference on Zimbabwe. It asked Prime Minister Thatcher not to grant immunity to Ian Smith unless he stopped the hangings of Zimbabwean freedom fighters. It announced an international week of action against Barclays Bank and reported on the UN Committee Against Apartheid's appeal for government action to stop banks collaborating with South Africa. It exposed how British sports bodies were undermining the sports boycott. A centrespread featured a UN conference on apartheid's impact on children. Basil Davidson reported on his visit to Mozambique.

The October issue called for support for the Zimbabwe Patriotic Front in the Lancaster House constitutional talks. It reported that at least 7000 people were still held under martial law regulations in Zimbabwe. It exposed the sale of radar equipment by the British electronics firm Plessey in contravention of the UN arms embargo. A centrespread highlighted plans to protest against the South African Barbarians rugby tour of Britain. Basil Davidson remembered MPLA leader Agostinho Neto, who died on 10 September. SWAPO representative Shapua Kaugungua again accused Western governments of undermining negotiations for Namibian independence.

The November issue led on South African attacks against Zambia and Mozambique. It recorded the standing ovation for ANC President Oliver Tambo at the Labour Party Conference in September. It again alleged that Western governments were backtracking on the UN peace plan for Namibia. It exposed South African ‘reforms’ on trade unions, the pass laws, housing and education as ‘a new mask’ for apartheid. ZAPU women’s leader Jane Ngwenya told of the intimidation of women in Zimbabwe. South African lawyer Shun Chetty described South Africa’s rigged legal system.

As the Lancaster House talks on Zimbabwe drew to a conclusion, AA News warned that the British Government must not impose a settlement before a cease-fire agreement. It announced the launch of a campaign to save the life of ANC guerrilla James Mange, sentenced to death in Pietermaritzburg. Abdul Minty wrote about South Africa’s nuclear capacity. AA News reported on SWAPO’s rejection of the new Western plan for Namibia. It reviewed the conclusions of the AAM-UN Committee Against Apartheid international seminar on the role of transnational corporations in South Africa. It exposed Israel’s growing links with the apartheid government.

AA News warned that the unbanning of the ANC and PAC, and imminent release of Nelson Mandela, did not guarantee the end of apartheid. The AAM launched its South Africa: Freedom Now! campaign, calling for the maintenance of international pressure for the establishment of a united, non-racial democracy. COSATU General Secretary Jay Naidoo told of increasing repression of South African trade unionists. AA News reported on the constitution drafted by Namibia’s newly elected Constituent Assembly and on prospects for peace in Mozambique. A special report highlighted apartheid’s environmental impact.

AA News pictured Nelson Mandela walking out of Victor Verster Prison, and reprinted his speech from Cape Town town hall. It reported on the worldwide celebrations of his release. It called for support for the AAM demo planned for 25 March under the slogan ‘Tell Mrs Thatcher to Stop Supporting Apartheid’. In an article heralding Namibia’s independence celebrations planned for 21 March, AA News highlighted Namibia’s abolition of the death penalty. In the first of a series on the ‘Pillars of Apartheid’ AA News featured the Banstustan policy. It reported on the Malibongwe conference on women under apartheid held in Amsterdam.