Anti-Apartheid News

The June issue exposed the lie behind the apartheid government’s claim that the Bantustans could develop into ‘separate black states’. It again focused on British corporations with big stakes in the apartheid economy, including the mining company RTZ and engineering company GKN. It reported on Zambia’s attempts to reduce its economic dependence on South Africa and on Ivory Coast’s new alliance with the apartheid government. A former Portuguese army soldier explained why he had refused to serve in the war in Mozambique. 

A round-up of anti-apartheid action included reports of the AAM’s ‘Partners in Imperialism’ conference on 4 July and the demonstrations against the Springbok rugby tour of Australia. AA News exposed South Africa’s new sports policy, under which segregated black teams would be allowed to tour overseas, and the apartheid government’s hopes to win economic advantage from Britain’s membership of the European Economic Community. It reported on how South African Defence Minister P W Botha was greeted with smoke bombs when he visited the British Defence Ministry. A centrespread explained the significance of the Cabora Bassa dam in Mozambique.

The September issue contested the argument that ‘constructive engagement’ could lead to peaceful change in South Africa. It reported on the show trial of Gonville Ffrench-Beytagh, Dean of Johannesburg, and carried a special feature exposing the built-in racial discrimination in South Africa’s legal system. A feature article argued that white rule in Rhodesia was as discriminatory as apartheid in South Africa. Special correspondent Antonio de Figueredo examined the economic impact of Portugal’s colonial wars. The issue’s back page reproduced the ANC leaflet distributed in major cities all over South Africa.  

This issue reported on the comprehensive resolution on Southern Africa passed at the TUC Congress. It hailed the cancellation of the Springbok cricket tour of Australia as a victory for the international anti-apartheid movement. It carried an extract from The Discarded People, Cosmas Desmond’s book about communities dumped into ‘resettlement camps’. AA News named ICI as the latest target in the Dambusters Mobilising Committee’s campaign against British involvement in the Cabora Bassa dam. A feature on the National Front revealed its ties with South Africa and the illegal Rhodesian regime.

Under the headline ‘The Final Solution’, Joe Slovo exposed the contradictions in the apartheid government’s Bantustan policy. The November issue reported on advances by FRELIMO guerrillas in Mozambique and condemned the UN Security Council’s failure to condemn South Africa for its incursion into Zambia. Judy Todd accused the British Government of selling out to the Smith regime in its new proposals for a settlement on Zimbabwe and Kees Maxey exposed the brutality of white Rhodesia’s prison regime. A feature article showed how Portugal’s conscript army was crumbling because young men were leaving the country rather than serve in its colonial wars.

Ahmed Timol was the 20th detainee to be killed by the South African Security Police, reported this issue of AA News. The newspaper focused on the agreement reached between the British Government and the Smith regime on Zimbabwe and argued that the only acceptable agreement would be one guaranteeing no independence before majority rule (NIBMAR). In extracts from lectures and interviews by Amilcar Cabral during his British tour, it recorded his confidence in winning independence for Guinea Bissau, and PAIGC’s plans for a new society. It revealed the continued persecution of Winnie Mandela, sentenced to a new gaol term for breaking her banning order. 

The February issue led on the campaign to stop the British government granting independence to Zimbabwe without any guarantee of majority rule. It advertised a demonstration in London organised by the Zimbabwe Emergency Campaign Committee. It reported on a strike by Ovambo workers in Namibia and carried an interview by SWAPO Secretary Moses Garoeb. The centrespread celebrated the 60th anniversary of the formation of the African National Congress. A feature on the US campaign to persuade Polaroid to discontinue sales of ID equipment to the apartheid government exposed the poverty wages paid by its South African distributor.

A report on the Zimbabwe demonstration held in London on 13 February highlighted police attacks on demonstrators. AA News carried an interview with Bishop Abel Muzorewa, Chair of the African National Council, the lead Zimbabwean organisation opposing the British settlement proposals. The issue reported on protests in northern Namibia and on the trial of striking workers. AA News correspondent Antonio de Figueiredo exposed Portuguese ‘multi-racialism’ as a cover for white domination.