1980s

The AAM’s ‘Southern Africa: the Time to Choose’ conference, 11–13 March 1982, was its most ambitious initiative to date. The Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme, gave the keynote address and the leaders of the Labour and Liberal Parties and the Chair of the TUC International Committee were among the speakers from Britain. The liberation movements were represented by ANC General Secretary Alfred Nzo and SWAPO Chairman David Meroro. The conference was attended by church representatives, trade unionists, local authorities and delegates from women’s, youth and student organisations.

The AAM’s ‘Southern Africa: the Time to Choose’ conference, 11–13 March 1982, was its most ambitious initiative to date. The Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme, gave the keynote address and the leaders of the Labour and Liberal Parties and the Chair of the TUC International Committee were among the speakers from Britain. The liberation movements were represented by ANC General Secretary Alfred Nzo and SWAPO Chairman David Meroro. The conference was attended by church representatives, trade unionists, local authorities and women’s, youth and student organisations. Left to right: Dr Alex Ekwueme, Abdul Minty, Bob Hughes MP and Archbishop Trevor Huddleston.

Labour Party leader Michael Foot speaking at the  AAM’s ‘Southern Africa: the Time to Choose’ conference in March 1982. The conference was attended by church representatives, trade unionists, local authorities and women’s, youth and student organisations. 

The AAM’s ‘Southern Africa: the Time to Choose’ conference, 11–13 March 1982, was its most ambitious initiative to date. The Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme, gave the keynote address and the leaders of the Labour and Liberal Parties, the Chair of the TUC International Committee and ANC and SWAPO representatives were among the speakers. The conference was attended by church representatives, trade unionists, local authorities and delegates from women’s, youth and student organisations. This Declaration was widely distributed and presented to Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington by the AAM’s President, Bishop Trevor Huddleston, and Hon. Secretary, Abdul Minty, the day after the conference.

The AAM distributed this appeal from the Chair of the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid, Nigerian Ambassador Alhaji Yusuf Maitama-Sule, at its ‘Southern Africa: The Time to Choose’ conference in March 1982. 

Poster publicising the demonstration held in central London on 14 March 1982 as the climax of the AAM’s ‘Southern Africa: the Time to Choose’ campaign. 15,000 people marched from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square. Although ANC President Oliver Tambo was advertised to speak he was unable to come and the ANC was represented by its Secretary General Alfred Nzo. Other speakers included SWAPO President Sam Nujoma, Labour MPs Joan Lestor and Tony Benn, the only black member of the British Sports Council Paul Stephenson and immigration campaigner Anwar Ditta. This was the biggest AAM demonstration since the march to protest against the Sharpeville shootings in 1960. On the morning of the demonstration, the ANC office in London was bombed.

Poster publicising the demonstration held in central London on 14 March 1982 as the climax of the AAM’s ‘Southern Africa: the Time to Choose’ campaign. 15,000 people marched from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square. Although ANC President Oliver Tambo was advertised to speak he was unable to come and the ANC was represented by its Secretary General Alfred Nzo. Other speakers included SWAPO President Sam Nujoma, Labour MPs Joan Lestor and Tony Benn, the only black member of the British Sports Council Paul Stephenson and immigration campaigner Anwar Ditta. This was the biggest AAM demonstration since the march to protest against the Sharpeville shootings in 1960. On the morning of the demonstration, the ANC office in London was bombed.

The AAM’s ‘Southern Africa: the Time to Choose’ conference was followed by a 15,000-strong march and rally in central London on 14 March 1982. The rally was the biggest anti-apartheid demonstration since the march against the Sharpeville massacre in 1960. Speakers included ANC Secretary General Alfred Nzo, representatives of the Labour and Liberal Parties and the TUC, asylum seekers campaigner Anwar Ditta and the only black member of the British Sports Council, Paul Stephenson. On the morning of the demonstration a bomb blast destroyed part of the ANC’s London office.