1970s

The International Conference of Trade Unions Against Apartheid held in Geneva in 1977 called for an international week of trade union action in March 1978. The AAM provided information and support for British trade unions taking part in the week. This leaflet asked them to disinvest from companies with South African subsidiaries and lobby the government to support UN economic sanctions against South Africa.

Trade unionists picketed South Africa House on 15 March 1978 as part of a week of trade union solidarity with South African trade unionists. The solidarity week was initiated by an international trade union conference held in Geneva the previous year.

In March 1978 the Smith regime agreed an ‘internal settlement’ with three African leaders, which opened negotiations for a new constitution. The constitution conceded one person one vote, but kept the security forces and civil administration in the control of the white minority. This leaflet argued that there could be no progress towards democracy in Zimbabwe without the involvement of the liberation movements.

The international campaign that led to the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990 began on his 60th birthday in 1978. British Prime Minister James Callaghan sent birthday greetings from the House of Commons and at a meeting held on 18 July Mary Benson recalled Mandela’s visit to London 16 years before. Politicians and trade union leaders signed a birthday card which they attempted to deliver to the South African Embassy. Ffity thousand copies of this leaflet were distributed by the AAM.

Anti-apartheid supporters and ANC members picketed South Africa House to mark Nelson Mandela’s 60th birthday on 18 July 1978. In the House of Commons Prime Minister James Callaghan sent birthday greetings, and politicians and trade unionists signed a birthday card which they tried to hand in at South Africa House.

Labour MPs outside South Africa House on Nelson Mandela’s 60^th  birthday on 18 July 1978. The Embassy refused to accept a birthday card signed by British politicians and trade unionists. In the photo are MPs Joan Lestor, Barbara Castle and Bob Hughes, Chairman of the Anti-Apartheid Movement.

Solomon Mahlangu was sentenced to death on 2 March 1978 after being present at an incident in Johannesburg during which two white bystanders were killed. The AAM organised weekly demonstrations outside South Africa House calling for his release. Thousands signed a petition asking the British government to intervene. This picket was held on 2 August 1978. In the photograph are Bob Wright, Assistant General Secretary of AUEW (Engineering), Jim Slater, General Secretary of the National Union of Seamen (NUS) and members of the NUS Executive.

Forty former South African political prisoners held a 24-hour fast in support of Solomon Mahlangu on the steps of St Martin’s in the Fields, Trafalgar Square in August 1978. They collected signatures to a petition asking Prime Minister James Callaghan to intervene with the South African government. Mahlangu was sentenced to death on 2 March 1978 for being present at an incident in Johannesburg during which two white bystanders were killed.