1960s

Philosophers Isaiah Berlin and A J Ayer were among the supporters of an academic boycott of South Africa launched in 1965. The boycott pledge was signed by 509 British academics. Left to right: Professor K W Wedderburn from the London School of Economics, AAM President David Ennals MP, and novelists Angus Wilson and Iris Murdoch at the launch of the boycott in the House of Commons.

AAM supporters in London called for a boycott of the all-white Springbok cricket team’s tour of England and Wales in 1965.

Poster calling for a boycott of the 1965 South African Springbok cricket tour. Demonstrations were held at every game. The AAM sent a delegation led by Labour MP David Ennals to the MCC on the first day of the test match at Lords. The Queen and Prime Minister Harold Wilson broke with tradition and did not attend the game.

Leaflet calling for a boycott of the 1965 South African Springbok cricket tour. Demonstrations were held at every game. The AAM sent a delegation led by Labour MP David Ennals to the MCC on the first day of the test match at Lords. The Queen and Prime Minister Harold Wilson broke with tradition and did not attend the game.

AAM supporters asked spectators to boycott the Springboks v Glamorgan cricket match at St Helen’s ground, Swansea on 31 July 1965. They handed out leaflets outside the ground and balloons with anti-apartheid slogans. Inside the ground the all-white South African cricket team was playing Glamorgan. The AAM in South Wales protested against the attendance at the match of Swansea's Mayor, Alderman F C Jones.

This young anti-apartheid supporter was asking cricket fans to support an arms embargo against South Africa outside St Helen’s ground in Swansea on 31 July 1965. He was one of around 30 protesters who handed out leaflets to spectators and balloons with anti-apartheid slogans. Inside the ground, the all-white South African cricket team was playing Glamorgan County Cricket Club. South Wales AAM protested against the attendance at the match of Swansea's Mayor, Alderman F C Jones.

Leaflet produced for the AAM’s campaign to pressure the Labour government to impose stronger measures against the illegal Smith regime immediately after UDI. It showed how South Africa and Portugal were helping Rhodesia hold out against sanctions. The leaflet argued that the alliance of the three white minority regimes would lead to race war in Southern Africa.

Manifesto calling on the Labour government to break off the talks with Ian Smith opened in May 1966 and ask the UN to impose mandatory sanctions against Rhodesia. It was circulated to local Labour parties, but received a poor response.