Local authorities

In May 1988 Local Authorities Against Apartheid organised a conference for local councils on ‘Building Links with the Frontline States’. The conference discussed how to twin local authorities in Britain with their counterparts in the countries of Southern Africa. This pamphlet published the keynote addresses made by Zambian Deputy Foreign Minister Mavis Muyunda and FRELIMO leader Jorge Rebelo.

pic8839. Celebrating Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday

Nelson Mandela was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Islwyn in South Wales to mark his 70th birthday in 1988. In the photograph Neil Kinnock MP presents a scroll to Mandela’s lawyer Ismail Ayob with Beyers Naude and Imam Esack looking on. The presentation was one of hundreds of honours conferred on Mandela by British local authorities and other institutions in the 1980s.

boy39. Your Right to Choose

This booklet was produced by the London Borough of Lambeth in south London. It gave advice to Lambeth residents on how to check if goods on sale in local shops came from South Africa or Namibia. It was carefully worded so as not to break new laws restricting the powers of local authorities to support consumer boycott campaigns.

90s09. Sechaba Festival, Glasgow

As part of Glasgow’s 1990 European City of Culture celebrations, Mandela Club Nights showcased bands from Southern Africa. The Sechaba Festival brought 60 South African poets, musicians, actors and dancers to Glasgow in a two-week programme of events. The Festival included a five-day international conference on cultural resistance to apartheid, and performances, exhibitions and films. The Club and the Festival were organised by Sechaba Festivals Ltd., established by the Scottish AAM Committee and the STUC with support from Glasgow City and Strathclyde Regional Councils and individual trade unions.

las14. Barrow in Furness Declaration on Apartheid

This Declaration was adopted by the Borough of Barrow in Furness, Cumbria in June 1990. It called on the South African government to lift political restrictions so that negotiations for a new constitution could take place following the release of Nelson Mandela. It was based on a model declaration circulated by Local Authorities Against Apartheid. Altogether 42 councils adopted the declaration.

las15. Hackney Declaration on Apartheid

This Declaration was adopted by the London Borough of Hackney in June 1990. It called on the South African government to lift political restrictions so that negotiations for a new constitution could take place following the release of Nelson Mandela. It was based on a model declaration circulated by Local Authorities Against Apartheid. Altogether 42 councils adopted the declaration.

las16. Stoke-on-Trent Declaration on Apartheid

This Declaration was adopted by the City of Stoke-on-Trent in June 1990. It called on the South African government to lift political restrictions so that negotiations for a new constitution could take place following the release of Nelson Mandela. It was based on a model declaration circulated by Local Authorities Against Apartheid. Altogether 42 councils adopted the declaration.

las17. North East Derbyshire Declaration on Apartheid

This Declaration was adopted by the North East Derbyshire District Council in June 1990. It called on the South African government to lift political restrictions so that negotiations for a new constitution could take place following the release of Nelson Mandela. It was based on a model declaration circulated by Local Authorities Against Apartheid. Altogether 42 councils adopted the declaration.