1970s

Sporadic strikes by Durban workers were continuing, reported this issue of AA News. The newspaper highlighted the banning of student leaders, including the entire leadership of the South African Student Organisation (SASO). Marie Louise Moumbaris, released after four months in solitary, described her ordeal and a feature by Albie Sachs exposed the travesty of South Africa’s justice system. A centre spread exposed the starvation workers paid to African workers by British companies'  South African subsidiaries. 

The May issue led on the spread of the African workers strike movement to East London and Johannesburg. It reported on the AAM’s second annual conference for British trade unionists. The newspaper highlighted the Terrorism Act trial of six political prisoners accused of smuggling arms for the ANC. A centre spread explained the role played by gold in the South African economy. 

This issue reported on the hanging of Zimbabwean freedom fighters by the Smith regime. It reviewed the talks between South Africa and the UN on Namibia and the campaign against Portuguese dictator Marcello Caetano’s visit to Britain. IDAF President Canon John Collins recalled the campaign to save the lives of the Rivonia trialists in 1964. A feature on UK companies' evidence to a parliamentary enquiry showed their South African subsidiaries were paying wages below the poverty  line. Jean Middleton revealed the conditions endured by women political prisoners in Barberton Gaol.

AA News featured the mass demonstration against Portuguese dictator Marcello Caetano on his visit to Britain and protests against the sentencing of the Pretoria Six to long gaol terms. It reported on the ILO trade union anti-apartheid conference held in Geneva in June 1973. An interview with FRELIMO Vice-President Marcelino Dos Santos described the new schools and medical centres in the liberated area of Mozambique. Iain Christie reported on the presence of SWAPO guerrillas in the Caprivi Strip. A special feature revealed the role of British companies in busting sanctions against the Rhodesian Smith regime.

The September issue reported on TUC plans to send a fact-finding delegation to South Africa. It recorded the sentencing of ANC women’s leader Dorothy Nyembe to 15 years imprisonment. Julian Brutus described the impact of sports apartheid on black South Africans and announced plans to stop the British Lions rugby tour to South Africa in 1974. A centre spread reviewed the boycott of elections held in Namibia for a stooge Ovambo Legislative Assembly. AA News reported on the mass demonstration held in London against Britain’s racist Immigration Act.

The South African police shooting of 11 workers at Western Deep Levels mine was the lead story in this issue. It reported on protests against the shootings by British trade unionists. Dr Sue Dowling reviewed the campaign to expel South Africa from the World Medical Association. An article exposed the torture of civilians by the Portuguese secret police in Mozambique. A centre spread reported on atrocities by white army units in Rhodesia. A review of British companies' PR material showed how they tried to ‘whitewash’ apartheid.

The November issue led on the independence of the former Portuguese colony of Guinea-Bissau. It exposed South Africa’s new propaganda offensive, led by the secretive Club of Ten. Judith Todd reported on the Rhodesia debate at the Conservative Party conference. AA News analysed Portugal’s rigged elections. A report on the Labour Party conference deplored the lack of time allotted to debate on Southern Africa. 

In a report on the AAM’s 1973 annual general meeting, this issue highlighted the call for a boycott of South African products. It reported on new curbs on the South African press and on demands for the release of political prisoners at a conference held within South Africa. A centrespread focused on the slave labour conditions of South African agricultural workers. Roger Murray reported on the brutal treatment of Namibian political detainees.