1990s

This issue featured the AAM’s ‘Vote for Democracy’ campaign, launched in Glasgow to coincide with the TUC Congress. It examined the role of a future democratic South Africa in the Southern African region. It reviewed the prospects for South Africa’s National Peace Accord and the failure to release political prisoners. A special feature examined the land question in Namibia. AA News reviewed the South African Human Rights Commission’s report on political violence, showingd that over 3,000 South Africans had been killed since July 1990 by vigilantes and the security forces.

AA News led on the two-day stay-at-home by South African workers and the Patriotic Front conference convened by the ANC and PAC. In the last feature in its ‘Peace Process Monitor’ series, it looked forward to the convening of all-party talks. Darkey Africa, founder member of a civic association in the Northern Cape, told AA News about grassroots attempts to democratise local government. AA News reported on the formation of a new South African united students organisation and on plans for a NUS/AAM student conference in Britain.

This issue led on the first meeting of CODESA (Convention for a Democratic South Africa) on 20–21 December. Kader Asmal argued the meeting was a watershed in South Africa’s transition to democracy. A report on the AAM’s AGM recorded that it was dominated by discussion on future solidarity with a democratic South Africa. Jean Middleton reported on the South African Communist Party’s national congress. Basil Davidson emphasised the importance of post-apartheid South Africa’s working for the development of its neighbours in Southern Africa.

‘Yes to Democracy’, proclaimed AA News, reporting on the whites-only referendum on negotiations for a new constitution. The newspaper again exposed the involvement of the South African Defence Force in the violence in KwaZulu Natal. In the run-up to the British General Election, AA News asked political parties about their policy on Southern Africa. It reproduced the AAM’s Black and Ethnic Minorities Committee’s call for the AAM to increase its campaigning against racism in Britain. Glenys Kinnock wrote about the social and economic challenges she had witnessed on her recent visit to South Africa. 

AA News recorded the deadlock in negotiations at CODESA II, following de Klerk’s insistence on a white blocking mechanism on a new constitution. It again called for the South African government to take action to end the political violence in the townships. The ANC Women’s League’s Baleka Kgositile told AA News about the importance of international people-to-people solidarity in helping to meet the huge challenges facing a new South Africa. AA News examined the role of the international community in ensuring free and fair elections in South Africa.

This issue led on COSATU’s call for a general strike following the Boipatong massacre and the breakdown of negotiations. Natal rural development worker Thabi Shange told AA News how South African women were shielding their families from political violence. Sadie Forman wrote about women’s attempts to change patriarchal attitudes within the ANC. A centre spread catalogued Inkatha’s township massacres. AA News reported on the civil wars in Angola and Mozambique. It recorded the historic decision by the South African Council of Churches to disobey ‘unjust laws’.

AA News headlined the ANC’s refusal to resume negotiations until the South African Government ended political violence. Gerald O’Sullivan reported on the ICJ’s fact-finding mission on the breakdown of law and order in Natal. British trade union leaders told AA News about their recent visits to South Africa. In an interview, NUMSA General Secretary Moses Mayekiso called for the maintenance of sanctions. A centre spread reviewed ongoing trade union struggles in South Africa.

AA News exposed the South African Government’s renewed support for UNITA, in breach of international agreements on Angola. It reported on British trade union support for an Emergency Fund for Peace and Democracy in South Africa. Dave Craine highlighted the importance of continuing financial sanctions. Mike Terry explained how the impasse in negotiations had been broken by a meeting between Nelson Mandela and Prime Minister de Klerk. Geoffrey Bindman reported on hopes for the release of South Africa’s last political prisoners.