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News briefings from South Africa and Namibia reported on the launch of a trade union for domestic workers (SADWU), the arrest of striking women hospital workers and the rape of women in northern Namibia by South African soldiers. The issue advertised a conference on women in Southern Africa organised by the National Assembly of Women and the Women’s International Democratic Federation. It highlighted the detention of over 8000 children following the declaration of a State of Emergency in South Africa in June 1986. It reported on the refusal by some women’s magazines in Britain to carry ads from the TUC calling for a consumer boycott of South African goods.

Issue 31 highlighted a resolution passed by the AAM AGM recommending an increased profile for women’s work in the Movement. It reported on a conference on women in Southern Africa organised by the Women’s International Democratic Federation and carried an interview with Makhosazana Njobe from the ANC Women’s Section. Under the headline ‘Front Line Women Seek Trade Links’ it advertised earrings, textiles and handicrafts sourced by AA Enterprises from women’s co-ops in Angola and Zimbabwe.

Issue 32 featured LINKS, a women’s organisation that encouraged liaison among women’s groups set up to campaign on single issues, and reported on a meeting to celebrate International Women’s Day organised by the AAM Women’s Committee. It asked women to support the AAM’s sanctions campaign by taking part in its National Convention for Sanctions Against South Africa.

Issue 33 carried a centrespread on the growth of the South African Domestic Workers Union and the plight of domestic workers forced to leave their children with grandparents in poor rural areas. It gave advice about how to collect goods for South African and Namibian women and children living in exile in ANC and SWAPO camps in Tanzania and Angola, and asked readers to celebrate South Africa Women’s Day, 9 August, by taking action to support South African women.

Issue 34 focused on women in Namibia, celebrating Namibian Women’s Day, 10 December, and exposing the exploitation of Namibian women workers. It showed the almost total lack of medical facilities for women and looked at SWAPO’s plans for training in basic health care in a liberated Namibia.

Theresa Ramashamola was the only woman among the Sharpeville Six, who were condemned to hang because they took part in a township demonstration at which a black councillor was killed. The AAM Women’s Committee campaigned for her release and this issue of the newsletter advertised a women’s protest at the South African Embassy in London. It also carried an interview with Sister Bernard Ncube, released after being held in detention for 16 months and a report of Leeds Women Against Apartheid’s car cavalcade collecting materials for the ANC’s Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College in Tanzania.

The Anti-Apartheid Women’s Committee published a regular newsletter from its formation in 1981. This issue mourned the death of Dulcie September, assassinated in Paris by apartheid agents. It publicised the ill-treatment of young girls and women held in detention in South Africa and reported on the South African Domestic Workers Union’s living wage campaign.

In the face of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s obdurate refusal to impose any form of sanctions against South Africa, the AAM called for a people’s boycott of South African goods under the slogan ‘Boycott Apartheid ’89’. The women’s newsletter advertised a special month of action on women as part of the campaign. This issue also celebrated the release from prison of Umkhonto we Sizwe member Thandi Modise and reported on the South African drama group Sisters of the Long March’s tour of Britain.