In 1961 Nelson Mandela went into hiding and then left South Africa secretly to meet leaders of independent African countries. He returned to South Africa in July 1962. Shortly afterwards he was arrested and charged with incitement to strike. The Anti-Apartheid Movement organised protests and messages of support. In this telegram he thanks the AAM and says his message is intended as ‘a very firm, warm and hearty handshake from us’.

Yusuf Dadoo and Joe Slovo on the march that launched the AAM’s ‘Anti-Apartheid Month’ on 3 November 1963 in response to increasing repression in South Africa and the arrest of Nelson Mandela and his comrades in July.

The World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners was set up by the AAM in response to a UN General Assembly resolution passed on 11 October 1963 calling for the charges in the Rivonia trial to be dropped and the release of all South African political prisoners. The campaign circulated an international declaration calling for the release of Nelson Mandela and his co-accused. It was largely because of the international campaign that the death sentence was not imposed. This poster was part of the campaign.

Sticker produced as part of the AAM’s campaign to mobilise public opinion against the imposition of the death penalty in the trial of Nelson Mandela and his co-accused. The campaign played a big part in saving the lives of Mandela and the other Congress leaders.

This Declaration was signed by 160 world figures prominent in the arts, churches, academia, trade unions and politics. It called for the release of South African political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela and others arrested at Rivonia and PAC leader Robert Sobukwe. It was launched by the World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners, set up in response to a UN General Assembly resolution passed in October 1963.

The AAM organised a weekly vigil opposite the South African Embassy in the winter of 1963/64 during the trial of Nelson Mandela and his co-accused. Different groups – writers, actors, church people, politicians – took part each week. The campaign was run under the auspices of the World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners, set up in response to a UN General Assembly resolution passed in October 1963.

The AAM organised a weekly vigil opposite the South African Embassy in the winter of 1963/64 during the trial of Nelson Mandela and his co-accused. Different groups – writers, actors, church people, politicians – took part each week. The campaign was run under the auspices of the World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners, set up in response to a UN General Assembly resolution passed in October 1963.

London students demonstrated in support of Nelson Mandela and other South African political prisoners in February 1964. This leaflet publicised a march preceding a dramatised presentation of prisoners’ lives organised by the World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners in Central Hall, Westminster. It was organised by University of London Union (ULU) Society Against Racial Discrimination. ULU later elected Nelson Mandela as its Honorary President.

This petition was signed by nearly 200,000 people all over the world during the trial of Nelson Mandela and his co-accused in 1964. It was launched by the World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners, set up in response to a UN General Assembly resolution passed in October 1963. The campaign played a big part in preventing the death sentence being passed on the accused.

Five issues of this broadsheet were published by the World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners in 1964. The broadsheet reported on the world campaign to save the lives of Nelson Mandela and his co-accused in the Rivonia trial. The campaign played a big part in preventing the death sentence being passed on the accused.

Five issues of this broadsheet were published by the World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners in 1964. The broadsheet reported on the world campaign to save the lives of Nelson Mandela and his co-accused in the Rivonia trial. The campaign played a big part in preventing the death sentence being passed on the accused.

Five issues of this broadsheet were published by the World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners in 1964. The broadsheet reported on the world campaign to save the lives of Nelson Mandela and his co-accused in the Rivonia trial. The campaign played a big part in preventing the death sentence being passed on the accused.

Five issues of this broadsheet were published by the World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners in 1964. The broadsheet reported on the world campaign to save the lives of Nelson Mandela and his co-accused in the Rivonia trial. The campaign played a big part in preventing the death sentence being passed on the accused.

Five issues of this broadsheet were published by the World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners in 1964. The broadsheet reported on the world campaign to save the lives of Nelson Mandela and his co-accused in the Rivonia trial. The campaign played a big part in preventing the death sentence being passed on the accused.

Anne Page lived in South Africa as a teenager and was recruited to the staff of the Anti-Apartheid Movement as Information Officer during the Rivonia trial in 1963–64. She helped organise the Trafalgar Square demonstration held on 14 June 1964 to demand clemency for Nelson Mandela and his co-accused. In 1965 she became the founding editor of the AAM’s monthly newspaper Anti-Apartheid News. As a councillor in the London Borough of Islington in the late 1970s, she was the first Chair of the council’s Race Relations Committee.

This is a complete transcript of an interview carried out as part of the Forward to Freedom history project in 2014.

Anne Page lived in South Africa as a teenager and was recruited to the staff of the Anti-Apartheid Movement as Information Officer during the Rivonia trial in 1963–64. She helped organise the Trafalgar Square demonstration held on 14 June 1964 to demand clemency for Nelson Mandela and his co-accused. In 1965 she became the founding editor of the AAM’s monthly newspaper Anti-Apartheid News. As a councillor in the London Borough of Islington in the late 1970s, she was the first Chair of the council’s Race Relations Committee.

In this clip she tells how the Anti-Apartheid Movement distributed information about the accused in the Rivonia trial and campaigned for their release.

Anne Page lived in South Africa as a teenager and was recruited to the staff of the Anti-Apartheid Movement as Information Officer during the Rivonia trial in 1963–64. She helped organise the Trafalgar Square demonstration held on 14 June 1964 to demand clemency for Nelson Mandela and his co-accused. In 1965 she became the founding editor of the AAM’s monthly newspaper Anti-Apartheid News. As a councillor in the London Borough of Islington in the late 1970s, she was the first Chair of the council’s Race Relations Committee.

In this clip she describes how it was widely expected that Nelson Mandela and the other Rivonia trialists would be condemned to death.

After Nelson Mandela and seven of his co-accused were convicted of sabotage on 11 June 1964 there was a real danger that the trial judge would impose the death sentence. Supporters in London kept up a three-day vigil opposite South Africa House and 50 MPs marched from the House of Commons to present a petition to the South African ambassador. The vigil culminated in a rally in Trafalgar Square on 14 June. When the sentence of life imprisonment was announced on 12 June it was seen as a victory for the international campaign to save the lives of the eight men.

This leaflet asked people to join a three-day vigil outside South Africa House when the verdict on the Rivonia accused was announced on Thursday 11 June 1964, followed by sentencing on the following day. It also advertised protests in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester, Reading University and Ireland.

After Nelson Mandela and seven of his co-accused were convicted of sabotage on 11 June 1964 there was a real danger that the trial judge would impose the death sentence. Supporters in London protested at South Africa House and 50 MPs marched from the House of Commons to present a petition to the ambassador. The actions culminated in a rally in Trafalgar Square on 14 June. The sentence of life imprisonment announced on 12 June was seen as a victory for the international campaign to save their lives. 

Leaflet publicising a walk and silent vigil in support of Nelson Mandela on 14 June 1964, after he and the other Rivonia trialists were sentenced to live imprisonment on 12 June. It asked people to walk from Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park to the South African Embassy and hold a 30-minute silent vigil outside the Embassy. The protest was organised by the London section of the Committee of 100, set up to organise direct action against the British government’s decision to build a nuclear bomb. 

Sussex University students marched from Brighton to London on 12 and 13 June 1964, on the eve of the sentencing of Nelson Mandela and his co-accused. The march was organised by Thabo Mbeki, whose father Govan Mbeki was one of the accused.

It was widely expected that Nelson Mandela and his co-accused in the Rivonia trial would be condemned to death. The campaign for their release was launched immediately after they were sentenced to life imprisonment in June 1964. This leaflet asked AAM supporters to write to the South African Ambassador and British Prime Minister Sir Alec Douglas-Home protesting against the sentence. 

It was widely expected that Nelson Mandela and his co-accused in the Rivonia trial would be condemned to death. The campaign for their release was launched immediately after they were sentenced to life imprisonment in June 1964. This poster was part of the publicity for the campaign. The AAM asked people to write to the South African Ambassador and British Prime Sir Alec Douglas-Home protesting against the life sentences.

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.

The National Union of Students elected Nelson Mandela as its Vice-President after he was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Rivonia trial in 1964. In 1971 the NUS set up a student network to campaign on Southern Africa jointly with the Anti-Apartheid Movement. This poster was produced as part of its Southern Africa Campaign.

Poster advertising a rally on South Africa Freedom Day, 26 June 1980, to mark the 25th anniversary of the Freedom Charter. The rally was organised by an umbrella group, the South Africa Freedom Day Committee, and the main speaker was ANC Secretary-General Alfred Nzo. The ANC declared 1980 the ‘Year of the Charter’ and the AAM distributed thousands of copies of the Freedom Charter during the year.

In 1980 the AAM circulated a declaration calling for the release of Nelson Mandela, signed by trade unions, politicians, academics and playwrights. It distributed badges, leaflets and stickers calling for Mandela’s release, in response to a campaign launched inside South Africa. Thousands of this leaflet were circulated as part of the campaign.

In 1980 the AAM circulated a declaration calling for the release of Nelson Mandela, signed by trade unions, politicians, academics and playwrights. It distributed thousands of badges, leaflets and stickers calling for Mandela’s release, in response to a campaign launched inside South Africa. More than 5,000 copies of this postcard were sent to the South African Sunday Post, which backed the South African campaign.

Poster produced for the AAM campaign for freedom for Nelson Mandela in response to a petition launched by the South African Sunday Post in 1980. A declaration calling for Mandela’s release was endorsed by MPs, trade unions, playwrights, musicians and academics in Britain. The AAM distributed thousands of badges, leaflets and stickers calling for Mandela’s release. The following year Glasgow became the first British city to award him the freedom of the city. In the 1980s buildings, streets and public gardens all over Britain were renamed in his honour.

Badge produced for the AAM campaign for the release of Nelson Mandela in response to a petition launched by the Sunday Post in South Africa in 1980. The AAM distributed thousands of badges, leaflets and stickers calling for Mandela’s release. A ‘Free Mandela’ declaration was endorsed by British MPs, trade unions, playwrights, musicians and academics.

Scottish AAM supporters marched through Glasgow on 12 December 1980, calling for the release of Nelson Mandela .

Vigil on the steps of St Martin’s in the Fields on 16 March 1981, calling for the release of Nelson Mandela. Left to right: Dulcie September, Theo Kotze, former Director of the South African Christian Institute, former political prisoners Stephen Lee and Tim Jenkin, British miners leader Mick McGahey and actor Joanna Lumley. The vigil was the start of a joint campaign by the AAM and the International Defence and Aid Fund.

Nelson Mandela was given the Freedom of the City of Glasgow on 4 August 1981. Glasgow was the first of many British cities to honour Mandela in this way. The photograph shows ANC representative Ruth Mompati speaking at a meeting in Glasgow City Chambers held after the award ceremony. Also in the picture are Nigerian Vice-President Alex Ekwueme,  the Lord Provost of Glasgow Michael Kelly and the Chair of the Scottish AA Committee, Brian Filling.

On 11 October 1982 the AAM launched a new campaign for the release of Nelson Mandela in response to a request from Oliver Tambo. On the eve of the launch supporters took part in a ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ sponsored cycle ride from Richmond Park to Trafalgar Square. Next day the AAM launched an international petition calling for Mandela’s release and held a torchlight vigil outside the South African Embassy.

This petition was launched on 11 October 1982, International Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners. At the same time, the Free Nelson Mandela Co-ordinating Committee was set up to ask sympathetic groups to organise events to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 65th birthday on 18 July 1983.

These stickers reproduced the logo for the 1982-83 ‘Release Mandela!’ campaign. The logo was used on material advertising events organised under the umbrella of the Free Nelson Mandela Co-ordinating Committee.

Over 2,000 mayors from 56 countries signed a declaration calling for the release of Nelson Mandela in 1982. The Declaration was initiated by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Michael Kelly, after Glasgow conferred the Freedom of the City on Mandela. This booklet lists the mayors who signed the Declaration.

Leeds City Council formally welcomed ANC representative Ruth Mompati to Leeds in the winter of 1982. In the picture with Ruth Mompati is the Deputy Lord Mayor Rose Lund. The Council named the gardens in front of the Civic Hall the Nelson Mandela Gardens. Leeds was one of many local authorities to show its opposition to apartheid in the 1980s.

In 1982 Leeds City Council renamed the gardens in front of Leeds City Hall Nelson Mandela Gardens.

T-shirt first produced by Barnet Anti-Apartheid Group in 1982 for the campaign to free Nelson Mandela. The group pioneered the production of T-shirts publicising AAM campaigns. From the late 1970s it produced T-shirts and sweatshirts in a range of colours featuring the AAM logo. 

Mug telling the story of a black South African worker sentenced to 18 months in gaol for writing ‘Release Nelson Mandela’ on his tea mug.

Poster advertising the Festival of African Sounds, held at Alexandra Palace, north London on 17 July 1983, the eve of Nelson Mandela’s 65th birthday. The concert featured new music by African musicians. The all-star line-up included Hugh Masekela, Jazz Afrika, Dudu Pukwana and the Ipi Tombi dancers. The concert was organised by the AAM and sponsored by the Musicians Union, Arts Council and Greater London Arts Association.

The Festival of African Sounds at Alexandra Palace in north London, marking Nelson Mandela’s 65th birthday in July 1983,  was the first big concert held for Mandela. It featured new music by African musicians. The all-star line-up included Hugh Masekela, Jazz Afrika, Dudu Pukwana and the Ipi Tombi dancers. The concert was sponsored by the Musicians Union, the Arts Council and Greater London Arts Association.

The Festival of African Sounds at Alexandra Palace, north London, celebrated Nelson Mandela’s 65th birthday in July 1983. Zenani Mandela was a special guest. The bust of Mandela in the photograph was created by sculptor Ian Walters. Mandela’s birthday was marked by events all over Britain. The London Borough of Greenwich awarded him the freedom of the borough and public gardens were named after him in Leeds and Hull.

Mike Terry, Bob Hughes MP and Abdul Minty at the Festival of African Sounds held to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 65th birthday in 1983. Zenani Mandela was a special guest. The bust of Mandela in the photograph was created by sculptor Ian Walters. Mandela’s birthday was marked by events all over Britain. The London Borough of Greenwich awarded him the freedom of the borough and public gardens were named after him in Leeds and Hull.

This poster advertised a concert in the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London’s South Bank, one of many events held to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 65th birthday on 18 July 1983. It raised funds for the 1983 Free Nelson Mandela Campaign, which brought together trade unions, the Church of England’s Board of Social Responsibility, and black and ethnic minority organisations.

This concert, held in the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London’s South Bank, was one of many events held to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 65th birthday on 18 July 1983. It raised funds for the 1983 Free Nelson Mandela Campaign, which brought together trade unions, the Church of England’s Board of Social Responsibility, and black and ethnic minority organisations.

This concert, held in the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London’s South Bank, was one of many events held to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 65th birthday on 18 July 1983. It raised funds for the 1983 Free Nelson Mandela Campaign, which brought together trade unions, the Church of England’s Board of Social Responsibility, and black and ethnic minority organisations.

Nelson Mandela’s 65th birthday was celebrated at a meeting in London attended by his daughter Zenani. Among the speakers were Mary Benson and AAM President Trevor Huddleston, who had both known Mandela before he went to prison. Hugh Masekela and the ANC choir performed at the celebration. Mandela’s birthday was marked by events all over Britain. The London Borough of Greenwich awarded him the freedom of the borough and public gardens were named after him in Leeds and Hull.

ANC representative Ruth Mompati spoke at the renaming of Sheffield Polytechnic Student Union building as the Nelson Mandela Building. Sheffield Polytechnic was one of many student unions to rename buildings after Nelson Mandela in the 1980s.

Nelson and Winnie Mandela were awarded the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen in 1984, with the support of Labour and Liberal members of the city council. This press release tells how Aberdeen AA Group won support for the award from local residents in the face of opposition from Conservative councillors and the Aberdeen Evening Express.

Hackney Council press release announcing the renaming of an east London housing block as Mandela House in 1984. Many British local authorities named roads, public gardens and housing estates in honour of Nelson Mandela in the 1980s as part of the campaign for his release.

An international petition calling for the release of Nelson Mandela was launched by the AAM in October 1982. Signatures for the petition were collected in countries throughout the world. Over half a million people signed and other organisations launched their own petitions. The AAM’s President Trevor Huddleston flew to New York to present the petition to UN Secretary General on 11 October 1984, International Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners.

Wooden badge calling for the release of Nelson Mandela.

City of London Anti-Apartheid Group was formed in 1982. Its first activity was a non-stop 24-hour picket to demand the transfer of political prisoner David Kitson from Pretoria Central Prison. This 24-hour vigil to demand the release of Nelson Mandela held in June 1985 was a precursor of the four-year non-stop picket of the South African Embassy organised by the group from 1986 to 1990. The picket attracted hundreds of enthusiastic young activists.

Leaflet advertising a 23-hour demonstration asking Dundee City Council to confer the freedom of the city on Nelson Mandela. The leaflet also publicised a meeting at Dundee Trades Council Club and a rally in Edinburgh calling for Mandela's release. Dundee Council gave Mandela the freedom of the city on 31 October 1985.

Petition circulated by Dundee AA Group as part of its campaign to persuade Dundee City Council to confer the freedom of the city on Nelson Mandela. The City Council gave Mandela the freedom of the city on 31 October 1985.

ANC President Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela’s daughter Zenani Mandela unveiled a bust of Nelson Mandela on London’s south bank on 28 October 1985. The bust was created by sculptor Ian Walters and sponsored by the Greater London Council.

In 1985 the British Defence and Aid Fund launched the Mandela Poetry Project to mark Human Rights Day, 10 December. It asked school students to contribute poems about Nelson Mandela and other Southern African political prisoners. This poster reproduces some of the 200 poems that were written as part of the project.

Leaflet advertising the launch of City of London AA Group’s non-stop picket calling for the release of Nelson Mandela. CLAAG supporters kept up a 24-hour picket of the South African embassy for nearly four years from 19 April 1986 until Mandela’s release on 11 February 1990. The picket attracted hundreds of enthusiastic young activists.  CLAAG was formed as a branch of the AAM in 1982, but internal arguments led to its disaffiliation in February 1985.

St George’s Place in central Glasgow was renamed Nelson Mandela Place on 16 June 1986. The South African consulate was located on the fifth floor of the Stock Exchange. The photograph shows the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Bob Gray,Glasgow Councillor Pat Chalmers and Essop Pahad from the ANC at the ceremony where the new name was unveiled. After the renaming, the consulate used a post office box number instead of the address.

Sponsored cycle rides were a feature of the ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ campaign – the first was held in 1982. This ride, held in September 1986, raised funds for Southern Africa the Imprisoned Society (SATIS).

‘Cycle for Mandela’ bike rides were held in centres all over Britain on his birthday, 18 July 1987.  The rides publicised the campaign for his release and raised funds for Southern Africa the Imprisoned Society (SATIS).

In 1988 the AAM launched a new initiative for Mandela’s release, ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’. It was discussed at the ANC’s international solidarity conference in Arusha, Tanzania in December 1987 and developed into the biggest campaign ever organised by the AAM. It began with a birthday tribute concert at Wembley on 11 June and culminated in a rally attended by 250,000 people in Hyde Park on 17 July, the eve of Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday.

The Nelson Mandela 70th birthday tribute concert held at Wembley Stadium on 11 June 1988 was attended by a capacity audience of 72,000 and broadcast to over 60 countries. The concert was the opening event in the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign. The concert programme carried features on the artists taking part, including Stevie Wonder, Whoopi Goldberg, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Sting, Dire Straits and Simple Minds.

This brochure set out the key events in the ‘Nelson Mandela Freedom at 70’ campaign. The day after the Wembley Stadium concert on 11 June, 25 freedom marchers set off from Glasgow on a 5-week march stopping at 32 towns and cities. On 17 July over 50,000 people joined the marchers on the last leg of the march to Hyde Park, where a crowd of a quarter of a million people heard Desmond Tutu call for Mandela’s release. The AAM produced 1 million ‘Free Mandela’ badges for people to wear on Mandela’s birthday. The campaign was the biggest ever organised by the Anti-Apartheid Movement. It projected Nelson Mandela as the future leader of a non-racial South Africa in the eyes of people throughout the world.

Poster advertising the concert held at Wembley Stadium on 11 June 1988 as part of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign. The concert was attended by a capacity audience of 92,000 and broadcast to ove 60 countries with a potential audience of a billion people. Oliver Tambo was the guest of honour and Stevie Wonder, Whitney and Sting were among the performers.

One of a set of five posters specially commissioned from leading graphic artists for the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert held at Wembley Stadium on 11 June 1988. This poster was designed by Keith Haring. The posters were featured on the stage set.

One of a set of five posters specially commissioned from leading graphic artists for the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert held at Wembley Stadium on 11 June 1988. This poster was designed by Mozambican artist Malangatana Ngwenya. The posters were featured on the stage set.

One of a set of five posters specially commissioned from leading graphic artists for the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert held at Wembley Stadium on 11 June 1988. This poster was designed by Ralph Steadman. The posters were featured on the stage set.

One of a set of five posters specially commissioned from leading graphic artists for the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert held at Wembley Stadium on 11 June 1988. This poster was designed by Sue Coe. The posters were featured on the stage set.

One of a set of five posters specially commissioned from leading graphic artists for the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert held at Wembley Stadium on 11 June 1988. This poster reproduced a woodcut by the Namibian artist John Muafangejo, who died in 1987. The posters were featured on the stage set.

Poster calling for the release of Nelson Mandela and all South African and Namibian political prisoners.

Poster produced for the 1988 ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign.

The Nelson Mandela 70th birthday tribute concert held at Wembley Stadium, London on 11 June 1988, was attended by a capacity audience of 92,000 and broadcast by the BBC to 63 countries. It was organised by the AAM with the support of Artists Against Apartheid. The concert was part of the AAM’s Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70 campaign. Mandela became a household name and a public opinion poll found that 70% of people in Britain supported the call for his release.

The Nelson Mandela 70th birthday tribute concert held at Wembley Stadium, London on 11 June 1988, was attended by a capacity audience of 92,000 and broadcast by the BBC to 63 countries. It was organised by the AAM with the support of Artists Against Apartheid. The concert was part of the AAM’s Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70 campaign. Mandela became a household name and a public opinion poll found that 70% of people in Britain supported the call for his release.

The Bee Gees at the Nelson Mandela 70th birthday tribute concert held at Wembley Stadium, London on 11 June 1988. The concert was attended by a capacity audience of 92,000 and broadcast by the BBC to 63 countries. It was organised by the AAM with the support of Artists Against Apartheid. The concert was part of the AAM’s Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70 campaign. Mandela became a household name and a public opinion poll found that 70% of people in Britain supported the call for his release.

Annie Lennox at the Nelson Mandela 70th birthday tribute concert held at Wembley Stadium, London on 11 June 1988. The concert was attended by a capacity audience of 92,000 and broadcast by the BBC to 63 countries. It was organised by the AAM with the support of Artists Against Apartheid. The concert was part of the AAM’s Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70 campaign. Mandela became a household name and a public opinion poll found that 70% of people in Britain supported the call for his release.

Richard Gere at the Nelson Mandela 70th birthday tribute concert held at Wembley Stadium, London on 11 June 1988. The concert was attended by a capacity audience of 92,000 and broadcast by the BBC to 63 countries. It was organised by the AAM with the support of Artists Against Apartheid. The concert was part of the AAM’s Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70 campaign. Mandela became a household name and a public opinion poll found that 70% of people in Britain supported the call for his release.

George Michael at the Nelson Mandela 70th birthday tribute concert held at Wembley Stadium, London on 11 June 1988. The concert was attended by a capacity audience of 92,000 and broadcast by the BBC to 63 countries. It was organised by the AAM with the support of Artists Against Apartheid. The concert was part of the AAM’s Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70 campaign. Mandela became a household name and a public opinion poll found that 70% of people in Britain supported the call for his release.

Little Steven and Jim Kerr at the Nelson Mandela 70th birthday tribute concert held at Wembley Stadium, London on 11 June 1988. The concert was attended by a capacity audience of 92,000 and broadcast by the BBC to 63 countries. It was organised by the AAM with the support of Artists Against Apartheid. The concert was part of the AAM’s Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70 campaign. Mandela became a household name and a public opinion poll found that 70% of people in Britain supported the call for his release.

This recruitment leaflet asking people to join the Anti-Apartheid Movement was distributed at the Mandela birthday tribute concert held at Wembley stadium on 11 June 1988. A capacity crowd attended the concert, which was broadcast all over the world. Thousands of people joined the AAM after the concert; membership reached a peak of 40,000 in 1989.

Sweatshirt produced for the Nelson Mandela 70th birthday tribute concert at Wembley Stadium, 11 June 1988. The concert was attended by a capacity audience of 72,000 and broadcast to over 60 countries. On the back of the T-shirt is a list of artists who performed at the concert

Twenty-five freedom marchers, one for each year of Mandela’s imprisonment, walked nearly 600 miles from Glasgow to London in June and July 1988. They were seen off at a rally in Glasgow on 12 June by ANC President Oliver Tambo. Along the way they held meetings and events calling for Mandela’s release. On 17 July over 50,000 people joined the marchers on the last leg of the march to Hyde Park, where a crowd of a quarter of a million people heard Desmond Tutu call for Mandela’s release.

Twenty-five freedom marchers, one for each year of Mandela’s imprisonment, walked nearly 600 miles from Glasgow to London in June and July 1988. They were seen off at a rally in Glasgow on 12 June by ANC President Oliver Tambo. Along the way they held meetings and events calling for Mandela’s release. On 17 July over 50,000 people joined the marchers on the last leg of the march to Hyde Park, where a crowd of a quarter of a million people heard Desmond Tutu call for Mandela’s release. This form asked AAM supporters to sponsor Alan Brooks, who acted as chief steward on the march.

This leaflet publicised a march and rally held in Glasgow on 12 June 1988 to see off the Nelson Mandela freedom marchers. The main speakers at the rally were ANC President Oliver Tambo, the President of the AAM, Archbishop Trevor Huddleston and rock star Jim Kerr. Thousands joined the first stage of the five-week march.

Poster advertising the Nelson Mandela Freedom March, 12 June–17 July 1988. Twenty-five freedom marchers, one for each year of Mandela’s imprisonment, walked nearly 600 miles from Glasgow to London. They were seen off at a rally in Glasgow on 12 June by ANC President Oliver Tambo. Along the way they held meetings and events calling for Mandela’s release. On 17 July over 50,000 people joined the marchers on the last leg of the march to Hyde Park, where a crowd of a quarter of a million people heard Desmond Tutu call for Mandela’s release.

Jim Kerr of the rock band Simple Minds launched the Nelson Mandela Freedom March at a rally in Glasgow on 12 June 1988. Among the speakers at the rally were ANC President Oliver Tambo, SWAPO leader Andimba Toivo ja Toivo, Domingos Ginga of MPLA, Allan Boesak, Labour MPs Bernie Grant and Joan Lestor and the President and Chair of the AAM, Trevor Huddleston and Bob Hughes MP. The Freedom March was part of the AAM’s Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70 campaign.

Demonstration to launch the Nelson Mandela Freedom March in Glasgow on 12 June 1988. As part of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign, 25 Mandela freedom marchers walked 590 miles from Glasgow to London, 12 June–17 July 1988. They took part in meetings and events in 40 cities and towns along the way. Left to right: SWAPO leader Andimba Toivo ja Toivo, Janey Buchan MP, AAM President Trevor Huddleston and Jim Kerr of Simple Minds.

Twenty-five freedom marchers, one for each year of Mandela’s imprisonment, walked 590 miles from Glasgow to London, 12 June–17 July 1988. The march was part of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign. Local supporters organised meetings and events in the 40 cities and towns they passed along the way.

Twenty-five freedom marchers, one for each year of Mandela’s imprisonment, walked nearly 600 miles from Glasgow to London in June and July 1988. Along the way they held meetings and events calling for Mandela’s release. This leaflet advertised the march as it came through Tyneside in the north-east of England.

The Nelson Mandela Freedom marchers leaving Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Twenty-five freedom marchers, one for each year of Mandela’s imprisonment, walked 590 miles from Glasgow to London, 12 June–17 July 1988. The march was part of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign. Local supporters organised meetings and events in the 40 cities and towns they passed along the way.

The Nelson Mandela Freedom marchers at Durham. Twenty-five freedom marchers, one for each year of Mandela’s imprisonment, walked 590 miles from Glasgow to London, 12 June–17 July 1988. The march was part of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign. Local supporters organised meetings and events in the 40 cities and towns they passed along the way.

Mandela on the march: twenty-five freedom marchers, one for each year of Mandela’s imprisonment, walked 590 miles from Glasgow to London, 12 June–17 July 1988. The march was part of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign. Local supporters organised meetings and events in the 40 cities and towns they passed along the way.

The Nelson Mandela freedom marchers carried a giant birthday cake through York in the Lord Mayor’s parade in June 1988. Twenty-five freedom marchers, one for each year of Mandela’s imprisonment, walked 590 miles from Glasgow to London. The march was part of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign. Local supporters organised meetings and events in the 40 cities and towns they passed along the way.

Thousands of demonstrators marched through central London on 17 July 1988 to a rally attended by 250,000 people in Hyde Park. The rally was the climax of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign and the biggest ever anti-apartheid demonstration in Britain.

Letter from Archbishop Trevor Huddleston asking Prime Minister Thatcher to meet the freedom marchers who walked from Glasgow to London as part of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign. The British government changed its attitude in response to the growing campaign for Mandela’s freedom and by 1988 was calling for his unconditional release.

Poster for the rally held in Hyde Park, London on Sunday 17 July as the culmination of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign. A crowd of 250,000 heard Archbishop Desmond Tutu, SWAPO Secretary General Andimba Toivo ja Toivo, Commonwealth Secretary General Shridath Ramphal and actor Richard Attenborough call for Mandela’s release. After the rally an overnight vigil was held outside South African House to see in Mandela’s birthday on 18 July.

This leaflet advertised a rally in Hyde Park held on 17 July 1988, the eve of Mandela’s 70th birthday, as the culmination of the ‘Nelson Mandela Freedom at 70’ campaign. A quarter of a million people heard Desmond Tutu call for Mandela’s release. Other speakers were AAM President Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, SWAPO leader Andimba Toivo ja Toivo, Sir Richard Attenborough and ANC representative Mendi Msimang.

This multilingual leaflet publicised the rally in Hyde Park held on 17 July 1988, the eve of Mandela’s 70th birthday, as the culmination of the ‘Nelson Mandela Freedom at 70’ campaign. It was produced by the AAM Women’s Committee. The rally was attended by around 250,000 people.

Programme for the rally in Hyde Park held on 17 July 1988, the eve of Mandela’s 70th birthday, as the culmination of the ‘Nelson Mandela Freedom at 70’ campaign. The main speakers were Archbishop Desmond Tutu, AAM President Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, SWAPO leader Andimba Toivo ja Toivo, Sir Richard Attenborough and ANC representative Mendi Msimang. There was music from Jonas Gwangwa and a video message from Winnie Mandela. A quarter of a million people attended the rally.

The rock group Simple Minds perform for the 250,000-strong crowd in Hyde Park at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Rally on 17 July 1988. The rally was the climax of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign and the biggest ever anti-apartheid demonstration in Britain. It rally began with music from Jonas Gwangwa and Archbishop Desmond Tutu gave the keynote speech.

The Mandela marchers on stage at the 250,000-strong Nelson Mandela Freedom rally in Hyde Park on 17 July 1988. The rally was the climax of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign and the biggest ever anti-apartheid demonstration in Britain. At the end of the campaign a poll showed that Nelson Mandela had become a household name in Britain and 70% of people supported the call for his release.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Nelson Mandela Freedom rally in Hyde Park. Thousands of demonstrators marched through central London on 17 July 1988 to a rally attended by 250,000 people. The rally was the climax of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign and the biggest ever anti-apartheid demonstration in Britain. At the end of the campaign a poll showed that Nelson Mandela had become a household name in Britain and 70% of people  supported the call for his release.

Invitation card for a service of tribute to Nelson Mandela on his 70th birthday at St James’s Church, Piccadilly.

This leaflet publicised an overnight vigil outside the South African Embassy in London to see in Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday on 18 July 1988. It asked people to join the last leg of the Mandela Freedom March on 17 July and to wear a ‘Free Mandela’ badge. The AAM produced 1 million badges for supporters to wear on 18 July.

A deputation from the AAM delivered over 30,000 cards calling for Nelson Mandela’s release to the South African Embassy in London on Mandela’s 70th birthday, 18 July 1988. The cards were signed by people from all over Britain. The Embassy refused to accept the cards and threw them onto the pavement.

Thousands of these postcards, addressed to South African President P W Botha, were delivered to the South African Embassy in London on Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday, 18 July 1988.

Birthday card for Nelson Mandela designed by Steve Bell. The graphic shows President P W Botha and incorporates the ANC colours of black, green and gold.

Birthday card for Nelson Mandela designed by South African artist Hilda Bernstein. The pack included an envelope addressed to Mandela c/o his wife Winnie.

Birthday card for Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday, 18 July 1988, produced by the African National Congress.

Sheffield AAM arranged a special programme of ‘Freedom at 70’ events to mark Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday on 18 July 1988, as well as sending coaches of supporters to the national rally in London on 17 July. Events included a live video screening of the Wembley Mandela tribute concert, a five-a-side football competition and a party on 18 July.

Poster advertising a concert held to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday on 18 July 1988. The concert featured the Zimbabwean group the Bhundu Boys, calypsonian David Rudder and Orchestra Marrabenta from Mozambique. It took place at The Academy, a major rock venue in Brixton, home of one of London’s biggest black communities.

This concert celebrating Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday on 18 July 1988 featured the Zimbabwean group, the Bhundu Boys, calypsonian David Rudder and Orchestra Marrabenta from Mozambique. It took place at The Academy, a major rock venue in Brixton, home of one of London’s biggest black communities.

The AAM produced T-shirts, badges, caps, mugs and a range of other merchandise for the ‘Nelson Mandela Freedom at 70’ campaign. They were designed to brand the campaign and give it a distinctive image.

Badge produced for the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign in 1988.

Display box for the badge produced for the ‘Nelson Mandela Freedom at 70’ campaign. The AAM aimed to get 1,000,000 people in Britain wearing the badge on Mandela’s 70th birthday, 18 July 1988.

Mug produced for the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign.

Carrier bag publicising the ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign

Stickers for the AAM’s 1988 ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign. At Wembley Stadium on 11 June rock stars played to a capacity audience in a concert that was broadcast around the world. Next day 25 freedom marchers set off from Glasgow on a 5-week march stopping at 32 towns and cities. On 17 July over 50,000 people joined the marchers on the last leg of the march to Hyde Park, where a crowd of a quarter of a million people heard Desmond Tutu call for Mandela’s release. The campaign was the biggest ever organised by the Anti-Apartheid Movement. It projected Nelson Mandela as the future leader of a non-racial South Africa in the eyes of people throughout the world.

All over Britain special events were held to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday. In the picture, children in Bristol cut a birthday cake. At the conclusion of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign, a poll showed that Nelson Mandela had become a household name in Britain and 70% of people  supported the call for his release.

All over Britain special events were held to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday. In the photograph, anti-apartheid supporters in Inverness display a giant card in the town’s shopping centre. At the conclusion of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign, a poll showed that Nelson Mandela had become a household name in Britain and 70% of people  supported the call for his release.

All over Britain anti-apartheid supporters celebrated Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday and called for his release. In Bristol a banner was hung from a housing block facing the Anglican cathedral. At the conclusion of the AAM’s ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign, a poll showed that Nelson Mandela had become a household name in Britain and 70% of people  supported the call for his release.

Nelson Mandela was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Islwyn in South Wales to mark his 70th birthday in 1988. In the photograph Neil Kinnock MP presents a scroll to Mandela’s lawyer Ismail Ayob with Beyers Naude and Imam Esack looking on. The presentation was one of hundreds of honours conferred on Mandela by British local authorities and other institutions in the 1980s.

Cutting a birthday cake for Nelson Mandela at the Mangrove, All Saints Road in west London.

Leaflet publicising a concert to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 70^th birthday organised by Nottingham AA Group. Events like this were held all over Britain.

Card with design featuring Nelson and Winnie Mandela.

Early in 1990 the AAM joined with the ANC and other organisations to set up a British Nelson Mandela Reception Committee, convened by AAM President Trevor Huddleston. As well as celebrating Mandela’s freedom, the Committee called for the release of all South African political prisoners and the creation of conditions for negotiations for a new democratic constitution. This leaflet publicised a demonstration at the South African Embassy to coincide with President de Klerk’s expected announcement of the date of Mandela’s release.

Thousands of people gathered spontaneously outside South Africa House in London on 11 February 1990 to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s release.

All over Britain people celebrated Nelson Mandela’s release on 11 February 1990. These two young women were taking part in a vigil on the steps of Sheffield Town Hall.

Celebrations of Nelson Mandela’s release were held all over Britain. A torchlit open air party took place in Glasgow’s Mandela Place and hundreds arrived at town halls, and streets and gardens named after Mandela in Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Ipswich, Liverpool, Bristol and Sheffield. This leaflet advertised a party in London’s Camden Centre organised by the Nelson Mandela Reception Committee.

Hundreds of people gathered at College Green, Bristol on 11 February 1990 to celebrate Mandela’s release.

This list of honours conferred on Nelson Mandela by British organisations was issued by the Nelson Mandela Reception Committee after Mandela’s release in February 1990. It includes honorary degrees, honorary life memberships, and roads and venues named after Mandela. Mandela was honoured by towns and organisations all over Britain, from Exeter in the south-west to Aberdeen in northern Scotland.

Leaflet advertising AAM T-shirts, posters and stickers with the slogan ‘Mandela Released! Free South Africa Now!’

Nelson Mandela’s release from prison on 11 February 1990 was celebrated by opponents of apartheid all over the world. But it was only a first step towards ending apartheid. This T-shirt was part of the attempt to ensure that anti-apartheid campaigners kept up their pressure on the South African government. The image of Mandela was an artist’s impression based on photographs taken before he was imprisoned in 1962. 

Nelson Mandela’s release from prison on 11 February 1990 was celebrated by opponents of apartheid all over the world. But it was only a first step towards ending apartheid. This T-shirt was part of the attempt to ensure that anti-apartheid campaigners kept up their pressure on the South African government. The image of Mandela was an artist’s impression based on photographs taken before he was imprisoned in 1962.

While it celebrated Mandela’s release, the AAM stressed that apartheid remained. It asked its supporters to campaign for the release of all political prisoners and to press the de Klerk government to take measures to end the killings in the townships.

A week of music and poetry in London led up to the second Mandela Wembley concert on 16 April 1990.

T-shirt produced for the Wembley Stadium concert held on 16 April 1990 to celebrate the release of Nelson Mandela. Mandela thanked the people of Britain and the world for campaigning for his release. The back of the T-shirt lists the lead artists who performed at the concert.

Two months after his release, Nelson Mandela attended a second Wembley Stadium concert held on 16 April 1990. The concert was attended by a capacity audience of 76,000 people and broadcast around the world. Mandela thanked the hundreds of thousands of people who had campaigned for his freedom and called for the continued isolation of South Africa until it had been transformed into a non-racial democracy.

Poster celebrating Nelson Mandela’s release and calling for the release of all other South African political prisoners. Mandela visited Britain in April 1990 and spoke at a concert held in Wembley Stadium, London.

Nelson Mandela at the Wembley concert held on 16 April 1990.

Handwritten letter from Nelson Mandela ‘to the British public’ thanking them for their ‘overwhelming generosity’. The letter was written on the day Mandela attended the 16 April 1990 Wembley concert held to celebrate his release from prison on 11 February.

At the concert held in his honour in Wembley Stadium on 16 April 1990, Nelson Mandela asked the people of Britain and the world to maintain sanctions against South Africa until a democratic constitution was in place. He also appealed for people to join the Anti-Apartheid Movement. This AAM membership leaflet reproduced parts of his speech.

Card advertising a sculpture made to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s release from prison.

Nelson Mandela visited the family of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence on his visit to London in May 1993. Stephen was stabbed to death by a white racist gang when he was waiting at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, on 22 April.

In October 1993 Nelson Mandela visited Glasgow, the first British local council to present him with the freedom of the city, in 1981. AAM President Trevor Huddleston presented him with a special scroll commemorating the award of the freedom of nine British local authorities.

Nelson Mandela spoke to a big crowd who came to welcome him in spite of heavy rain in Glasgow’s George Square on 9 October 1993. Later he delighted the crowd by dancing with singer Mara Louw in front of Glasgow City Chambers.

Nelson Mandela danced with singer Mara Louw in Glasgow’s George Square on 9 October 1993. Earlier, AAM President Trevor Huddleston presented him with a special scroll commemorating the award of the freedom of nine British local authorities. In 1981 Glasgow was the first local authority to present Mandela with the freedom of the city. Also in the photograph is the Chair of the Scottish AA Committee, Brian Filling.

Altogether nine British cities presented Nelson Mandela with the freedom of the city. In October 1993 Mandela visited Glasgow to meet representatives from each of the nine local councils. AAM President Trevor Huddleston presented him with a special scroll commemorating the awards.

Poster calling for the election of Nelson Mandela as South Africa’s President, produced for the ANC campaign in South Africa’s first one person one vote election in April 1994.

Leaflet advertising a concert to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as President of South Africa.

Jerry Dammers formed the Specials in Coventry in 1977. He was an anti-apartheid activist from his school days, and in 1986 founded Artists Against Apartheid to involve musicians in anti-apartheid campaigns and promote the cultural boycott of South Africa. He wrote the song ‘Free Nelson Mandela’, which became an international hit and helped raise awareness of the situation of Nelson Mandela and political prisoners in South Africa.

This is a complete transcript of an interview carried out as part of the Forward to Freedom AAM history project in 2013.

Jerry Dammers formed the Specials in Coventry in 1977. He was an anti-apartheid activist from his school days, and in 1986 founded Artists Against Apartheid to involve musicians in anti-apartheid campaigns and promote the cultural boycott of South Africa. He wrote the song ‘Free Nelson Mandela’, which became an international hit and helped raise awareness of the situation of Nelson Mandela and political prisoners in South Africa.

In this clip he taks about how he came to write ‘Free Nelson Mandela’.

Joni McDougall became active in Camden Anti-Apartheid Group in 1984. She later worked full-time in the Anti-Apartheid Movement office for the Bishop Ambrose Reeves Trust as organiser of the international conference on ‘Children & Apartheid’,  held in Harare in 1987. In 1988 she joined the Nelson Mandela Freedom March as one of the 25 marchers who walked from Glasgow to London as part of the ‘Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70’ campaign.

In this clip Joni talks about the Nelson Mandela Freedom March.

Richard Caborn was the Labour MP for Sheffield Central, 1983–2010, and Minister for Sport, 2001–2007. He joined the Anti-Apartheid Movement when he was a trade union official in the 1970s and was a founder member of Sheffield Anti-Apartheid Group. He served as the Anti-Apartheid Movement’s national Treasurer, 1989–1994. In 1984 he became Secretary of the all-party parliamentary group on Southern Africa.

Vijay Krishnarayan became involved in the Anti-Apartheid Movement in 1984 while studying town and country planning at Oxford Polytechnic. As student union president, he was elected to the National Council of the student section of the Labour Party and in 1988 took part in the Mandela Freedom March from Glasgow to London. In 1989, he campaigned against the rebel cricket tour to South Africa before moving on to a career in civil society organisations, promoting people-to-people solidarity.

This is a complete transcript of an interview carried out as part of the Forward to Freedom history project in 2013.

Vijay Krishnarayan became involved in the Anti-Apartheid Movement in 1984 while studying town and country planning at Oxford Polytechnic. As student union president, he was elected to the National Council of the student section of the Labour Party and in 1988 took part in the Mandela Freedom March from Glasgow to London. In 1989, he campaigned against the rebel cricket tour to South Africa before moving on to a career in civil society organisations, promoting people-to-people solidarity.

In this clip Vijay tells how he walked over 600 miles from Glasgow to London as one of the Mandela freedom marchers in the summer of 1988.

Talal Karim came to Britain from Bangladesh in 1971 and supported anti-apartheid campaigns as a student at Warwick University. He later became a Labour councillor in the London Borough of Islington and a member of its Race Equality Committee. He represented Islington Council on Local Authorities Against Apartheid (LAAA) and was one of the main movers behind the Council’s Declaration on Southern Africa, and support for the African National Congress (ANC) and South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO).

In this clip Talal Karim explains why he became an anti-apartheid activist and describes his meeting with Nelson Mandela in 1993.

Brian Filling became involved in anti-apartheid campaigning as a student at Glasgow University in the late 1960s. He was a founder of the Scottish AAM Committee in 1976 and served as its Chair from 1976 to 1994, when he became Chair of ACTSA Scotland. He was a member of the Executive Committee of Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) from 1994 to 2011 and is now Honorary Consul for South Africa in Scotland. He was awarded the National Order of Companions of O R Tambo in 2012.       

This is a complete transcript of an interview carried out as part of the Forward to Freedom history project in 2013.

Brian Filling became involved in anti-apartheid campaigning as a student at Glasgow University in the late 1960s. He was a founder of the Scottish AAM Committee in 1976 and served as its Chair from 1976 to 1994, when he became Chair of ACTSA Scotland. He was a member of the Executive Committee of Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) from 1994 to 2011 and is now Honorary Consul for South Africa in Scotland. He was awarded the National Order of Companions of O R Tambo in 2012. 

In this clip Brian Filling describes how Nelson Mandela visited Glasgow in 1993 to meet representatives from the nine British cities who had given him the freedom of their cities.

Christabel Gurney was active in the Anti-Apartheid Movement from 1969 to 1994. She edited the AAM’s monthly newspaper Anti-Apartheid News in the 1970s and was later secretary of Notting Hill Anti-Apartheid Group. More recently she has researched and written about the history of the AAM. 

In this clip she describes the atmosphere at the event in South Africa House held to celebrate the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as President in May 1994.

This is the transcript of a witness seminar held at St Antony’s College, Oxford in 1999. Participants included Rivonia trialists Ahmed Kathrada and Rusty Bernstein, Mandela’s biographer Anthony Sampson, the producer of the 1988 Nelson Mandela tribute concert Tony Hollingsworth, former Executive Secretaries  of the Anti-Apartheid Movement Mike Terry and Ethel de Keyser, and the AAM’s Deputy Director Alan Brooks and Campaign Organiser Clive Nelson. The seminar was convened and chaired by Professor William Beinart.