Boycott

Throughout the negotiations for a democratic constitution from 1991 to 1993 the AAM asked supporters to maintain the boycott of South African goods. It argued that continued pressure was needed on the South African government to force it to agree to a genuinely democratic constitution. The UN finally lifted the boycott in September 1993 after it was agreed to set up a transitional executive council. 

Flyer for a day school examining the links between British pit closures and South African coal imports, organised by Durham AA Group and the north-east area of the National Union of Mineworkers in 1992. The day school looked at the role of international capital in the coal mining industry and at future strategies for the industry in Britain and South Africa. Speakers included representatives of the British and South African mineworkers unions.

In September 1992 the AAM asked its supporters to take part in a month of action to press the de Klerk government to agree to an interim government and constituent assembly. It called for the maintenance of international sanctions and boycotts.  On 1 September the London AA Committee picketed Sainsbury’s headquarters, because Sainsbury’s sourced its ‘own label’ wines from South Africa. During the month AAM supporters distributed thousands of leaflets outside supermarkets asking shoppers to boycott South African goods.

In September 1992, in the aftermath of the massacre at Boipatong, the AAM organised a month of events calling for international support for negotiations for peace and democracy in South Africa. It argued that the consumer boycott must continue until the apartheid government agreed to a democratic constitution. This leaflet advertised a picket of the head office of Sainsbury’s supermarket chain.

Leaflet asking shoppers not to buy South African goods. It answered commonly asked questions about the boycott.

Bilingual leaflet calling for a boycott of South African goods distributed by anti-apartheid campaigners in Wales.

Leaflet asking shoppers in Southampton to boycott South African goods. Many anti-apartheid groups produced leaflets like this for distribution in local shopping centres, drawing on lists of products supplied by the national AAM.

Stickers publicising the consumer boycott of South African goods.