1970s

From 1978 anti-apartheid local groups held sponsored walks on the anniversary of the Soweto uprising to raise funds for the ANC’s Solomon Mahlangu Freedom School in Tanzania. This photograph shows AAM members in Barnet, north London, getting ready for their walk in May 1979.

From 1978 anti-apartheid local groups held sponsored walks on the anniversary of the Soweto uprising to raise funds for the ANC’s Solomon Mahlangu Freedom School in Tanzania. In the photograph are Det Glynn of Camden AA Group and AAM staff member Chris Child getting ready for a sponsored walk in Camden, London in June 1979.

 

 

This conference reviewed the achievements of the AAM on the twentieth anniversary of its founding and looked at future prospects for the freedom struggle in an international context. It was held on 26 June 1979, South Africa Freedom Day. The main speaker was ANC President Oliver Tambo.

In June 1979 it seemed likely that the newly elected Conservative government would recognise the ‘internal settlement’ in Zimbabwe. This leaflet publicised a demonstration opposing recognition and calling for support for the liberation movement. The main speaker was Patriotic Front (ZAPU) Vice-President Josiah Chinamano.

In the summer of 1979 the AAM campaigned to stop the Conservative government elected in May 1979 from recognising the Muzorewa government in Zimbabwe. This poster was produced for the AAM rally and march through central London on 30 June calling for genuine independence in Zimbabwe under the leadership of the Zimbabwean Patriotic Front.

Police horses outside Rhodesia House in the Strand during the AAM’s march and rally in central London on 30 June 1979. The AAM urged the  newly elected Conservative government not to recognise the Muzorewa government in Zimbabwe.

The platform in Trafalgar Square at a rally organised by the AAM on 30 June 1979 held to urge the newly elected Conservative government not to recognise the Muzorewa government in Zimbabwe.

Demonstrators marched from Lancaster House to Central Hall, Westminster, on 10 September 1979, the opening day of talks about a settlement on Zimbabwe. They were supporting the settlement proposals put forward by the Zimbabwe Patriotic Front for democratic elections and the release of all political prisoners. After lengthy negotiations, elections were held in February 1980. They were won by the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front under the leadership of Robert Mugabe.