1970s

In October 1976 a conference opened in Geneva to discuss new proposals for a settlement in Zimbabwe. This leaflet argued that the talks were designed to protect British and American interests in Southern Africa, rather than achieve majority rule. It called for tougher sanctions and support for the liberation movements.

After the Soweto student uprising in June 1976, the AAM stepped up its campaign to stop Britain selling arms to South Africa. This poster uses the iconic photo of Hector Pieterson, the first student killed in the protests.

TUC staff and members of the film technicians union ACTT picketed South Africa House on 20 January 1977. They were supporting the worldwide Week of Trade Union Action against Apartheid called by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) from 17 to 24 January. Among the protesters were Alan Sapper, General Secretary of ACTT, and Charles Grieve, General Secretary of the Tobacco Workers Union.

Demonstrators outside South Africa House on 14 February 1977, demanding freedom for SWAPO leaders Aaron Mushimba and Hendrik Shikongo. The two men were sentenced to death under the Terrorism Act on 12 May 1976. They were freed on appeal in 1977 after an international campaign for their release.

Over 3000 people marched through Glasgow on 5 March 1977 calling for a strict arms embargo against South Africa and a freeze on British investment there. Among the speakers at a rally were Duma Nokwe of the African National Congress, the General Secretary of the Scottish TUC James Milne and Rev. Geoff Shaw, Convenor of Strathclyde Regional Council. The event was organised by the AAM Scottish Committee to coincide with a demonstration in London the following day.

Leaflet publicising a rally in Trafalgar Square on 6 March 1977 calling on the British government to impose a strict arms embargo on South Afria and halt all new investment there. The speakers included representatives of all the main Southern African liberation movements, Duma Nokwe (ANC), Misheke Muyongo (SWAPO), Dzinga Mutumbuko (ZANU) and Daniel Madzimbamutu (ZAPU), as well as Pauline Webb, representing the World Council of Churches, Labour MP Joan Lestor and Abdul Minty (AAM).

Trade union banners on a march to Trafalgar Square calling for an end to British arms sales to South Africa and a freeze on investment, 6 March 1977. 

Southampton University Student Union banner on a march to Trafalgar Square calling for an end to British arms sales to South Africa and a freeze on investment, 6 March 1977.