Photos

SWAPO leaders Aaron Mushimba and Hendrik Shikongo were sentenced to death under the Terrorism Act on 12 May 1976. The Namibia Support Committee and Southern Africa the Imprisoned Society (SATIS) promoted an international campaign for their release. It distributed thousands of postcards calling on the British government to intervene and held a demonstration outside South Africa House. The SWAPO leaders were released on appeal in 1977. Left to right: Liberal MP Richard Wainwright, Botswana High Commissioner B M Setshango, TGWU General Secretary Jack Jones, SWAPO representative Peter Katjavivi, Labour Party General Secretary Ron Hayward, Amnesty International Director David Simpson and AAM Chair John Ennals.

On 16 June 1976 South African police opened fire on student demonstrators in Soweto, killing hundreds and sparking student uprisings across South Africa. Hundreds of anti-apartheid supporters gathered outside South House in London on the following day to protest against the shootings. In the photo are ANC members Rica Hodgson, Shanthie Naidoo, Paul Joseph, Aziz Pahad and Ramnie Dinat.

Thousands of people marched through central London on 27 June 1976 to protest against the South African police massacre of school students in Soweto. The march was led by ANC members carrying a symbolic coffin. Right to left: ANC members John Matshikiza, Billy Nannan and Garth Strachan.

Thousands of people marched through central London on 27 June 1976 to protest against the South African police massacre of school students in Soweto. 

Leaders of the Soweto student uprising Tsietsi Mashinini, Selby Semela and Barney Makheatle in London after escaping from South Africa in 1976.

Demonstration outside the Mangrove, All Saints Road, Notting Hill on 10 October 1976 in support of the school students uprising in Soweto.

British actors, including Sheila Hancock, Albert Finney, Robert Morley, Kenneth Williams and Kenneth Haigh, handed in a letter to South Africa House on 13 October 1976. They were calling for the release of South African actors John Kani and Winston Tshona. Other signatories were Dame Peggy Ashcroft and playwrights David Hare and Howard Brenton. 

Sheila Hancock and Albert Finney hand in a letter to South Africa House on 13 October 1976, calling for the release of South African actors John Kani and Winston Tshona. Other signatories were Dame Peggy Ashcroft and playwrights David Hare and Howard Brenton.