Description

Students at Durham University first asked the university authorities to sell shares in companies with South African subsidiaries in 1972. In 1974 they rejected the University Council's response, which endorsed the British government’s code of conduct for firms investing in South Africa. Over 1,000 students marched through Durham on 22 February 1975 to protest against the university’s refusal to sell. Speakers included John Hosey, whose son Sean was imprisoned in South Africa. The university’s vice-chancellor responded by circulating other universities suggesting they should ensure British influence in South Africa was exerted against apartheid. This was rejected by the students union, which continued to campaign for disinvestment.