1990s

The June/July issue reported on Nelson Mandela’s State of the Nation address to Parliament on 24 May, following his inauguration as President on 10 May. It recorded the lifting of the UN arms embargo and accession to the OAU and the Commonwealth. AAM members who served as election observers told their election stories. A centre spread looked at ANC policies on job creation, land and health. AA News stressed the need for continuing solidarity to help South Africa and the Southern African region overcome the legacy of apartheid.

The last issue of AA News announced plans to set up a successor organisation to the AAM at a conference on 29 October. Its aims would be to campaign for peace and democracy throughout Southern Africa, especially in Angola and Mozambique; to work for reconstruction in the region; and to build ‘people to people’ solidarity. Frank Chikane warned the new South African government against accepting a military culture. Joe Slovo set out plans to confront South Africa’s housing crisis. Margaret Ling reported on the ‘Mozambique Now!’ campaign in the run-up to Mozambique’s October election.