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In November 1989 elections were held for a constituent assembly to draw up Namibia’s first democratic constitution. The South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) won 57% of the vote. In Britain the Namibia Emergency Campaign set up by the AAM and Namibia Support Committee campaigned for continuing international support for the people of Namibia. This leaflet publicised a conference for grassroots activists in January 1990. The conference took place after the election but before the declaration of Namibian independence on 21 March 1990. 

The Southern Africa Coalition brought together a wide range of organisations, including trade unions, churches, overseas aid agencies and the AAM. In Tyneside, north-east England, local branches of the organisations that made up the coalition organised a week of anti-apartheid events in February 1990.

Poster advertising a meeting at the Hackney Empire Theatre, London on 4 February 1990, organised by the Parliamentary Black Caucus and the AAM.

Early in 1990 the AAM joined with the ANC and other organisations to set up a British Nelson Mandela Reception Committee, convened by AAM President Trevor Huddleston. As well as celebrating Mandela’s freedom, the Committee called for the release of all South African political prisoners and the creation of conditions for negotiations for a new democratic constitution. This leaflet publicised a demonstration at the South African Embassy to coincide with President de Klerk’s expected announcement of the date of Mandela’s release.

Thousands of people gathered spontaneously outside South Africa House in London on 11 February 1990 to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s release.

All over Britain people celebrated Nelson Mandela’s release on 11 February 1990. These two young women were taking part in a vigil on the steps of Sheffield Town Hall.

Celebrations of Nelson Mandela’s release were held all over Britain. A torchlit open air party took place in Glasgow’s Mandela Place and hundreds arrived at town halls, and streets and gardens named after Mandela in Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Ipswich, Liverpool, Bristol and Sheffield. This leaflet advertised a party in London’s Camden Centre organised by the Nelson Mandela Reception Committee.

Hundreds of people gathered at College Green, Bristol on 11 February 1990 to celebrate Mandela’s release.