From its formation in 1960, the Anti-Apartheid Movement campaigned for an end to South Africa’s illegal rule in Namibia (South West Africa). In March 1966 writer Ronald Segal convened an international conference with the support of the AAM. This pamphlet set out the background to the conference and explained how South Africa had contravened its League of Nations mandate. It called for political action at the UN and showed how the Western powers were blocking any steps to end South Africa’s control of the territory.

From its formation in 1960, the Anti-Apartheid Movement campaigned for an end to South Africa’s illegal rule in Namibia (South West Africa). In March 1966 writer Ronald Segal convened a international conference on the territory, sponsored by the AAM and the Africa Bureau, and chaired by the future Prime Minister of Sweden, Olaf Palme. The conference published papers on South Africa’s violation of its mandate, economic and legal issues, and the responsibility of the international community.

In the mid-1970s Namibia was the world’s biggest producer of karakul wool, marketed in London by Hudsons Bay & Annings Ltd. The sales contravened UN resolutions that declared South Africa’s administration of Namibia illegal. This leaflet was produced by the AAM in co-operation with the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) and the National Union of Students. It was distributed to buyers attending the sales by supporters of the AAM and Friends of Namibia.

AAM supporters picketed the headquarters of the mining company Rio Tinto Zinc (RTZ) in St James’s Square, London on Namibia Day, 1 June. RTZ operated the Rossing uranium mine in Namibia in defiance of a judgement by the International Court of Justice that South Africa’s rule there was illegal.

Poster publicising a speaking tour of Europe by Putuse Appolus from the Namibian Women’s League and a representative of SWAPO’s Youth League in the summer of 1975. The two women spent two weeks in Britain, meeting women’s groups, student unions and labour movement representatives. The UN designated 1975 as International Women’s Year.

This memorandum showed how the Labour government elected in 1974 was failing to honour its election pledge to end military links with South Africa. It asked trade unionists and Labour Party members to press the government to end military co-operation and to take action on Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The UN declared South Africa’s occupation in Namibia illegal in 1966. In 1974 UN Decree No. 1 stated that Namibia’s mineral resources should only be exploited with the agreement of the UN Council for Namibia. This leaflet listed the main British companies with interests in Namibia and asked workers to check if their company was operating there.

This report argued that Marconi’s contract to supply troposcatter communications equipment to South Africa was a breach of the arms embargo imposed by the 1974 Labour government. The equipment was to be used to send information from the South African forces fighting SWAPO guerrillas in northern Namibia to the Defence Department’s computer centre in the Cape. The AAM argued that the arms ban should cover all equipment with ‘dual purpose’ military and civilian use and that no equipment should be sold to the South African defence forces.

In 1976 the AAM campaigned to stop the supply of GEC-Marconi communications equipment to the South African Defence Force on the grounds that it breached the Labour government’s arms embargo. It argued the system would be used against SWAPO guerrillas in Namibia. After the government decided that the equipment would require an export licence, the apartheid government announced that communications in Namibia would in future be the responsibility of the South African Post Office. In October 1976 the British government announced that it would grant an export licence. This AAM fact sheet called for a parliamentary enquiry to investigate loopholes in the British arms embargo.

SWAPO leaders Aaron Mushimba and Hendrik Shikongo were sentenced to death under the Terrorism Act on 12 May 1976. With the Namibia Support Committee, SATIS promoted an international campaign for their release. It distributed thousands of postcards calling on the British government to intervene and held a demonstration outside South Africa House. The two men were released on appeal in 1977.

SWAPO leaders Aaron Mushimba and Hendrik Shikongo were sentenced to death under the Terrorism Act on 12 May 1976. The Namibia Support Committee and Southern Africa the Imprisoned Society (SATIS) promoted an international campaign for their release. It distributed thousands of postcards calling on the British government to intervene and held a demonstration outside South Africa House. The SWAPO leaders were released on appeal in 1977. Left to right: Liberal MP Richard Wainwright, Botswana High Commissioner B M Setshango, TGWU General Secretary Jack Jones, SWAPO representative Peter Katjavivi, Labour Party General Secretary Ron Hayward, Amnesty International Director David Simpson and AAM Chair John Ennals.

Demonstrators outside South Africa House on 14 February 1977, demanding freedom for SWAPO leaders Aaron Mushimba and Hendrik Shikongo. The two men were sentenced to death under the Terrorism Act on 12 May 1976. They were freed on appeal in 1977 after an international campaign for their release.

In the late 1960s, under a Labour government, British Nuclear Fuels signed long-term contracts with Rio Tinto-Zinc (RTZ) for uranium from Namibia. The first supplies were to be delivered in 1977. The deal flouted UN Security Council resolutions asking member states not to collaborate with South Africa’s illegal administration. This leaflet was produced by the Campaign Against the Namibian Uranium Contract (CANUC), set up by the AAM, the Namibia Support Committee and the Haslemere Group.

This appeal for rubber boots for Namibian refugees in Angola by the Namibia Support Committee met with a huge response from AAM supporters. Thousands of pairs of Wellington boots were shipped to SWAPO refugee camps.

In the late 1960s Britain signed long-term contracts with the mining company Rio Tinto-Zinc (RTZ) for the supply of uranium for its nuclear energy programme. When the contract came into effect it was clear the uranium came from the Rossing mine, operated by RTZ in defiance of UN resolutions on Namibia. The Rossing File tells the story of the uranium contracts and the failure of successive British governments to honour their UN obligations.

After Zimbabwean independence in 1980 the AAM stepped up its campaigning for an end to South Africa’s illegal occupation of Namibia. This leaflet set out a comprehensive set of demands on the British government. It called for support for the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), mandatory UN sanctions against South Africa, the release of Namibian political prisoners and the cancellation of Britain’s contract for the supply of Namibian uranium.

Sticker in SWAPO colours.

Gerritt Viljoen was appointed Administrator General of South West Africa as part of South Africa’s imposition of an ‘internal settlement’ in Namibia. In April 1980 he held talks in London with Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington at the British Foreign Office. This leaflet was distributed by anti-apartheid supporters outside a South Africa Club dinner at the Savoy Hotel, where Viljoen was the guest speaker. 

On 4 May 1978 South African troops massacred over 600 Namibian refugees at Kassinga in southern Angola. After the massacre hundreds of Namibians were abducted from refugee transit centres in southern Angola and around 130 of them were detained indefinitely at a South African military base in northern Namibia. Southern Africa the Imprisoned Society (SATIS) and the Namibia Support Committee campaigned for their release. These postcards called on the South African government to free them and asked the British Foreign Secretary and UN Secretary General to intervene. The detainees were eventually released in 1984.

AAM supporters protested outside South Africa House in May 1980 on the second anniversary of the Kassinga massacre. They carried placards with the names of some of the 137 Namibians abducted from the Kassinga refugee camp in Angola by the South African Defence Force in May 1978. Over 600 Namibian refugees were massacred in the raid. Left to right: Labour MP Chris Mullin, Bishop Colin Winter and Labour MP Joan Lestor.

Marcus Kateka was a 40-year old Namibian farmworker sentenced to death for allegedly helping SWAPO guerrillas. Southern Africa the Imprisoned Society distributed ten thousand copies of this postcard asking Prime Minister Thatcher to intervene with the South African government. Supporters also picketed South Africa House on 27 October 1980. As a result of the international campaign, in July 1981 the sentence was commuted to 17 years imprisonment.

In the 1970s and 1980s Britain imported uranium from Rio Tinto-Zinc’s Rossing mine in Namibia in contravention of UN resolutions. As part of a long-running campaign, on 8 November 1980 over 300 demonstrators marched to British Nuclear Fuels Springfields plant near Preston where the uranium was processed. They were led by trade union banners from Preston, Leeds and Merseyside and joined by trade unionists from all over the north of England. The demonstration was organised by the North-West Trade Union/Anti-Apartheid Liaison Committee and the Namibia Support Committee.

In the 1970s and 1980s Britain imported uranium from Rio Tinto Zinc’s Rossing mine in Namibia in contravention of UN resolutions. As part of a long-running campaign, on 8 November 1980 over 300 demonstrators marched to British Nuclear Fuels Springfields plant near Preston where the uranium was processed. They were led by trade union banners from Preston, Leeds and Merseyside and joined by trade unionists from all over the north of England. The demonstration was organised by the North-West Trade Union/AAM Liaison Committee and the Namibia Support Committee.

In the 1970s and 1980s Britain imported uranium from Rio Tinto Zinc’s Rossing mine in Namibia in contravention of UN resolutions. As part of a long-running campaign, on 8 November 1980 over 300 demonstrators marched to British Nuclear Fuels Springfields plant near Preston where the uranium was processed. They were led by trade union banners from Preston, Leeds and Merseyside and joined by unionists from all over the north of England. The demonstration was organized by the North-West Trade Union/AAM Liaison Committee and the Namibia Support Committee.

In December 1980 the AAM, with the Namibia Support Committee and International Defence and Aid Fund, hosted a visit by a delegation from the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO). The delegation held meetings with Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington and the leaders of the Labour and Liberal Parties. It was led by SWAPO General Secretary Moses Garoeb. This leaflet publicised a rally addressed by members of the delegation. The rally was preceded by a torchlight march calling for the release of Namibian political prisoners.

Leaflet criticising the 1974–79 Labour government’s record on Namibia. It asked Labour Party to members to campaign within the party to ensure that a future Labour government refused to recognise South African control of Namibia.

On 14 March 1981 the National Union of Students organised a National Day of Action against British Nuclear Fuels contract for the supply of uranium from the Rossing mine in Namibia. In the photograph are protesters at the Department of Energy in Millbank, London. The day was marked by 30 demonstrations all over Britain outside Electricity  Board depots. The action was part of a long-running campaign co-ordinated by the Campaign Against the Namibian Uranium Contract (CANUC). Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Britain imported Namibian uranium in contravention of UN resolutions. 

Vigil outside the US Embassy in London on 10 September 1981 to protest against US and UK funding of the South African military in its war against SWAPO guerrillas fighting for independence for Namibia. In the summer of 1981 the South African army crossed Namibia’s northern border to invade Angola.

Letter to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher calling on the British government to support UN mandatory economic sanctions against South Africa in response to South Africa’s invasion of Angola in 1981.

In the 1970s and 1980s Britain imported uranium from RTZ’s Rossing mine in Namibia in contravention of UN resolutions that said the country’s natural resources should only be sold with the consent of the UN Council for Namibia. The uranium was imported under contracts signed in the late 1960s by the UK Atomic Energy Authority and Rio Tinto Zinc. Lord Carrington, featured in the poster, was a Director of RTZ and British Foreign Secretary,1979–1982.

In the 1970s and 1980s Britain imported uranium from RTZ’s Rossing mine in Namibia in contravention of UN resolutions that said the country’s natural resources should only be sold with the consent of the UN Council for Namibia. The uranium was imported under contracts signed in the late 1960s by the UK Atomic Energy Authority and Rio Tinto Zinc. The Campaign Against the Namibian Uranium Contract (CANUC) was set up in 1977 by the Namibia Support Committee, the Haslemere Group and the AAM.

One of a set of posters produced for the AAM’s ‘Southern Africa: The Time to Choose’ demonstration on 14 March 1982. At the same time as it called for the total isolation of South Africa, the AAM called for support for the liberation movements and all those fighting for freedom in Southern Africa. After Zimbabwe won its independence in 1980, the AAM concentrated its activities on Namibia and South Africa.

Poster advertising a week of action on Namibia, 27 October to 3 November 1982. The week began with a march through London when ‘summonses’ were served at the offices of companies that collaborated with South Africa’s illegal rule in Namibia. It also featured a speaking tour by SWAPO representative Jacob Hannai and a special leaflet on Barclays and Namibia.

Anti-apartheid supporters outside the London offices of Blue Star Port Line during the Week of Action on Namibia organised by the AAM and the Namibia Support Committee, 27 October to 3 November 1982. The company was running a shipping service to Walvis Bay in defiance of UN rulings. Other British companies operating in Namibia were targeted during the week. A former worker at RTZ’s Rossing uranium mine, Arthur Pickering, and a representative of SWAPO’s Women’s Council, Frieda Williams, spoke at 50 meetings all over Britain.

Many of the companies named in this leaflet were picketed during a Week of Action on Namibia, 27 October–3 November 1982. A former worker at RTZ’s Rossing uranium mine, Arthur Pickering, and a representative of SWAPO’s Women’s Council, Frieda Williams, spoke at 50 meetings all over Britain. The demonstrations were organised by the AAM and the Namibia Support Committee as part of a UN International Week of Solidarity with the people of Namibia. 

The Namibia Support Committee made regular appeals for medical supplies for Namibian refugees. This leaflet listed equipment and medicines needed by the South West Africa People’s Organisation’s (SWAPO) Health Department. The AAM helped distribute the leaflet and local AA groups and the AAM’s Women’s and Health Committees held collections for NSC appeals.

One of many posters published by the Anti-Apartheid Movement to publicise the campaign for the release of political prisoners in South Africa and Namibia.

Demonstrators marched to London’s Jubilee Gardens to protest against British companies’ support for South Africa’s illegal occupation of Namibia, as part of a Week of Action on Namibia, 27 October–3 November 1983. The march served ‘summonses’ at the offices of companies that collaborated with South Africa’s illegal rule in Namibia. The Week of Action featured a speaking tour by SWAPO representative Jacob Hannai and a special leaflet on Barclays and Namibia. It was organised by the AAM and the Namibia Support Committee.

Demonstrators marched to London’s Jubilee Gardens to protest against British companies’ support for South Africa’s illegal occupation of Namibia, during a second annual Week of Action on Namibia, 27 October–3 November 1983. The march served ‘summonses’ at the offices of companies that collaborated with South Africa’s illegal rule in Namibia. During the week, demonstrations were held outside the headquarters of Barclays Bank and the Central Electricity Board.

Letter from Malcolm Rifkind, Minister of State at the Foreign Office, replying to a request from Des Starrs, Chair of Southern Africa the Imprisoned Society (SATIS), for the British government to intervene on behalf of the Kassinga detainees. In 1978 South African armed forces killed around 600 Namibian refugees at Kassinga refugee camp in Angola and took hundreds more prisoner. Five years later some of them were still held in detention in Namibia. Malcolm Rifkind turned down the request for a meeting on the grounds that he had already met an AAM delegation to discuss repression in the Ciskei.

Namibia Support Committee protesters called for the recognition of SWAPO freedom fighters Sam Mundjindji and Veiko Nghitewa as prisoners of war. The protest marked the opening of their trial on 5 February 1984. The two men had been subject to months of torture and solitary confinement. They were eventually released in July 1989 in the run-up to Namibian independence.

In the autumn of 1984 the AAM and Namibia Support Committee campaigned to raise Namibia’s public profile in Britain and change government policy. This Declaration was endorsed by over 400 organisations and 6,000 individuals. It was presented to the British Prime Minister by a delegation led by the Bishop of Stepney on 10 December, the 25th anniversary of the South African massacre of 11 Namibians in Katutura township, Windhoek.

In September 1984 a group of singers and dancers from Namibia presented a Festival of Culture and Resistance in eight cities in Britain and Ireland. The Festival publicised the ‘Namibia: Independence Now!’ campaign organised by the AAM and Namibia Support Committee. The tour was funded by the Commonwealth Foundation, Greater London Council and two Scottish local authorities.

Women demonstrators picketed British Nuclear Fuels plant near Preston in north-west England on 2 November 1984. Earlier in the year a group of women peace activists were gaoled after they gained entry to the BNFL’s plant at Capenhurst, Cheshire. The November picket was one of four protests at BNFL installations in Scotland and northern England. The coordinated demonstrations were part of a national week of action on Namibia organised by the AAM and Namibia Support Committee, 27 October–2 November 1984. In the 1970s and 1980s Britain imported Namibian uranium in contravention of UN resolutions declaring that South Africa’s occupation of Namibia was illegal.

Demonstrations against the illegal import of Namibian uranium took place at four British Nuclear Fuels installations on 2 November 1984. This leaflet publicised the protest. It made links between campaigners for the liberation of Namibia and peace protesters calling for nuclear disarmament. The protest was part of a Namibia Week of Action, 27 October–2 November 1984, co-ordinated by the AAM and Namibia Support Committee.

Demonstrations against the illegal import of Namibian uranium took place at four British Nuclear Fuels installations on 2 November 1984. This leaflet publicised the protest at BFNL’s headquarters near Warrington in the north of England. It made links between campaigners for the liberation of Namibia, peace protesters calling for nuclear disarmament and miners whose jobs were threatened by pit closures. The protest was part of a Namibia Week of Action, 27 October–2 November 1984, co-ordinated by the AAM and the Namibia Support Committee.

Leaflet advertising a public meeting in Islington, north London, in November 1984, highlighting South Africa’s war against the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) in Namibia. The main speaker was Labour shadow Foreign Secretary, Donald Anderson MP.

In the autumn of 1984 the AAM and Namibia Support Committee campaigned to raise Namibia’s public profile in Britain and change government policy. A Declaration calling for ‘Namibia: Independence Now!’ was endorsed by over 400 organisations and 6,000 individuals. This leaflet publicised a lobby of Parliament coordinated by the AAM as part of the campaign.

Leaflet highlighting the failure of the Western contact group to secure the independence of Namibia. The AAM argued that UN mandatory sanctions should be imposed against South Africa to pressure it into withdrawing from Namibia.

South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) representative Shapua Kaukungua spoke at a rally to mark SWAPO’s 25th anniversary on 18 April 1985. The rally was organised by the AAM and the Namibia Support Committee.

Memorandum arguing for a review of British government policy on Namibia. The memorandum urged the British government to support mandatory measures against South Africa under Chapter VII of the UN Charter if South Africa continued to obstruct talks on Namibian independence.

Letter from Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe in response to the AAM’s memorandum ‘Britain and Namibia’. He stated that although the British government did not regard the withdrawal of Cuban forces from Angola as an essential precondition of Namibian independence, in practice withdrawal offered the best prospect for the success of negotiations.

In the 1980s the AAM campaigned to give Namibia a higher profile and make more people aware of South Africa’s illegal occupation. Local AA groups disseminated information and asked their members to take up the issue. This leaflet publicised a meeting held by Barnet AA Group in north London. It called for the implementation of UN resolutions on Namibian independence, withdrawal of British companies and the release of Namibian political prisoners.

Barclays Bank operated in Namibia as well as South Africa. This leaflet was distributed during the Free Namibia Week of Action, 25 October–1 November 1986. Shortly after its publication Barclays withdrew from South Africa and Namibia after a long-running campaign by anti-apartheid activists.

SWAPO Secretary-General Andimba Toivo ja Toivo was the main speaker at the conference that launched the 1986 International Week of Action on Namibia, 25 October–1 November. During the week many town halls flew the SWAPO flag and Sheffield, Glasgow and the London Borough of Ealing held civic receptions for Toivo ja Toivo and other SWAPO leaders. Public meetings were held in Birmingham, Hull and Manchester. 

This leaflet publicised the 1986 Week of Action on Namibia, 25 October–1 November. During the week many town halls flew the SWAPO flag and Sheffield, Glasgow and the London Borough of Ealing held civic receptions for SWAPO Secretary-General Andimba Toivo ja Toivo. Mass meetings were held in Birmingham, Hull and Manchester. Merseyside Health Authority agreed to sell its shares in RTZ because of RTZ’s huge mining operations in Namibia.

Resource pack showing how black women in South Africa and Namibia were doubly oppressed under apartheid by both racism and sexism. The pack also stressed the special problems of Namibian women.

Supporters of the Campaign Against the Namibian Uranium Contract (CANUC) held regular protests outside the British Nuclear Fuels processing plant at Springfields, near Preston in the north of England. This leaflet publicised a demonstration on 14 November 1986. Between 1977 and 1985 half of Britain’s uranium imports came from the Rossing mine in Namibia. RTZ operated the mine in defiance of UN resolutions. After 1985 Britain continued to re-export Namibian uranium to European and Japanese nuclear power plants.

The Scottish Namibia Committee was set up in the 1980s to campaign In support of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO). This petition called attention to the brutality with which Namibian political prisoners were treated. It urged the British government to intervene with the apartheid government for their release.

The first issue of Lawyers Against Apartheid’s Bulletin outlined the main planks of South Africa’s repressive legislation and exposed the illegality of the interim government set up by the apartheid regime in Namibia. It also publicised its guide to the impact of the new British Public Order Act on anti-apartheid protests in Britain.

Poster advertising meetings with SWAPO President Sam Nujoma in Glasgow and Edinburgh during a tour of Scotland in October 1987.

Leaflet advertising a day school on Namibia organised by Bradford AA Group in 1987. The following year the group held a march during the International Week of Action on Namibia, 27 October–3 November. Yorkshire and Humberside Regional AA Committee raised £5,000 for the SWAPO Election Appeal Fund in 1989.

Between 1977 and 1985 half of Britain’s uranium imports came from the Rossing mine in Namibia. RTZ operated the mine in defiance of UN resolutions declaring South African rule illegal. This leaflet called attention to the British government’s implicit admission that Namibian uranium was used in its nuclear weapons programme. It was distributed in the 1987 Week of Action on Namibia organised by the AAM and the Namibia Support Committee. 

Shell co-operated with the South African authorities in Namibia, in defiance of the UN termination of South Africa’s mandate. It also supplied fuel for the South African Defence Force in its war against guerrilla fighters from the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) in northern Namibia. This leaflet was distributed during the international Week of Action on Namibia organised by the AAM and Namibia Support Committee, 27 October–3 November 1987.

Memorandum to Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe, urging the British government to support the UN Secretary-General in implementing Security Council resolution 601 authorising him to arrange a ceasefire in Namibia. The memorandum criticised Prime Minister Thatcher’s effective endorsement of the US argument that Cuban troops must withdraw from Angola before agreement could be reached on Namibian independence.

Outside the annual general meeting of Consolidated Goldfields in London on 4 November 1987. A ‘judge’ holds the scales of justice symbolising South Africa’s ‘rule of law’ in Namibia. In August 1987 ConsGold sacked 4,000 Namibian mineworkers at its Tsumeb mine.

The special police unit Koevoet was known for its extreme brutality perpetrated on captured Namibian freedom fighters. This leaflet publicised the case of eight supporters of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) charged under the Terrorism Act and tortured to force them to confess to the charges.

Jason Angula, Labour Secretary of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), was detained without trial in October 1987. British civil service unions campaigned for his release, together with the Joint Campaign Against the Repression of Trade Unionists. Angula was released at the end of 1988.

In 1988 the apartheid regime stepped up its repression of the South African trade union movement. This leaflet highlighted four cases where trade unionists were detained or put on trial. It also publicised the situation of trade unionists in Namibia.

Leaflet advertising a Latin American music night to raise funds for the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) in 1988. The concert was organised by Camden AA Group and Kings Cross Labour Party in central London.

South Africa’s rule over Namibia was illegal under international law. The AAM focused on this in calling for the British government to support UN mandatory sanctions against the apartheid regime.  

On 4 May 1978 South African troops massacred over 600 Namibian refugees at Kassinga in southern Angola. Hundreds more were abducted and detained at a South African military base in northern Namibia. This poster commemorated the tenth anniversary of the massacre.

The 1988 Week of Action on Namibia, 27 October–3 November, took place as talks on the implementation of the UN Plan for Namibia were entering the final stage. Hundreds protested outside South Africa House on 1 November, after South Africa reneged on the original timetable for the plan. A highlight of the week was the Seminar on Children, Apartheid and Repression in Namibia held on 29 October. The SWAPO flag was flown over many town halls and local AA groups held meetings calling for pressure on South Africa to implement the UN Plan.

As talks on the implementation of the UN Plan for Namibia entered their final stage, campaigning on Namibia became top priority for the AAM. This bilingual leaflet publicised a march through the centre of Cardiff organised by Wales AAM.

Over 400 people attended a conference on Children in Namibia at the headquarters of the National Union of Teachers in London on 29 October 1988. Participants heard first-hand accounts of torture and repression from young Namibians. Speakers included a paediatrician from the northern Namibian war zone and Ignatius Shigwameni of the National Namibian Students Organisation.

Poster publicising a lobby of parliament held during the final stages of negotiations for Namibian independence. Its aim was to keep up the pressure on the South African government not to renege on its agreement and to highlight the need for continuing support for liberated Namibia. Hundreds took part and attended a House of Commons meeting addressed by SWAPO leaders and former Labour Foreign Secretary David Owen. Many local AA groups lobbied MPs in their constituencies.

In December 1988 South Africa agreed to a UN Plan for the Independence of Namibia, which laid down conditions for the holding of free elections in November 1989. The conditions included the release of all political prisoners and confinement of South African troops to base. This leaflet accused South Africa of incorporating members of Koevoet, a South African Defence Force unit known for its brutality, into the police force. The Namibia Emergency Campaign was set up by the AAM and the Namibia Solidarity Committee to campaign for free and fair elections in Namibia. 

In December 1988 South Africa signed the UN Plan for the Independence of Namibia, which led to the holding of free elections in November 1989. With the Namibia Support Committee, the AAM set up a Namibia Emergency Campaign to mobilise British support for Namibian independence and solidarity with the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO).

Protesters in Southampton demonstrated against the import of uranium from Namibia through the city’s docks in February 1989. The protest was organised by Southampton AA Group and local supporters of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Green Party.

In December 1988 South Africa signed the UN Plan for the Independence of Namibia, which led to the holding of free elections in November 1989. Church Action on Namibia marked 1 April 1989, the date set for the implementation of the plan, with a street theatre performance outside the South African Embassy showing British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher greeting South African President P W Botha.

In December 1988 agreement was reached on a process leading to Namibian independence. Elections were scheduled for 7–11 November. AAM President Trevor Huddleston launched a British appeal for support for the South West Africa People’s Organisation’s (SWAPO) election campaign in the House of Commons in April 1989. The campaign was widely supported, including by British trade unions and the Labour and Liberal Parties.

In December 1988 agreement was reached on a process leading to Namibian independence. Elections were scheduled for 7–11 November. AAM President Trevor Huddleston launched a British appeal for support for the South West Africa People’s Organisation’s (SWAPO) election campaign in the House of Commons in April 1989. 

In December 1988 agreement was reached on a process leading to Namibian independence. Elections were scheduled for 7–11 November 1989. AAM President Trevor Huddleston launched a British appeal for support for the South West Africa People’s Organisation’s (SWAPO) election campaign in the House of Commons in April 1989. ‘A Night for Namibia’ was one of many events held to raise funds for the appeal.

On 4 May 1978 over 600 Namibian refugees were massacred by South African soldiers at Kassinga in southern Angola. This exhibition and fundraising social was held on the eleventh anniversary of the massacre. Seven hundred flowers were displayed in the shape of Africa and Glenys Kinnock unveiled a commemorative picture by an exiled Namibian. The event raised over £1,000 for rehabilitation projects in Namibia and Angola.

On 4 May 1978 over 600 Namibian refugees were massacred by South African soldiers at Kassinga in southern Angola. This fundraising evening was held on the eleventh anniversary of the massacre in 1989. It raised over £1,000 for rehabilitation projects in Namibia and Angola.

In May 1978 the South African Defence Force massacred over 600 people at a SWAPO refugee camp at Kassinga in Angola. They included 120 children. This leaflet accused Shell of being complicit in the killings because they supplied fuel for the SADF in its operations in Namibia and Angola. The leaflet was distributed on the 11th anniversary of the massacre in 1989.

In December 1988 South Africa signed the UN Plan for the Independence of Namibia, which led to the holding of free elections in November 1989. With the Namibia Support Committee, the AAM set up the Namibia Emergency Campaign (NEC) to mobilise British support for Namibian independence and solidarity with the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO). On 13 May 1989 the NEC held a conference where 200 delegates were briefed by SWAPO Labour Secretary Jason Angula.

Lawyers Against Apartheid’s 1989 Bulletin called for captured Umkhonto we Sizwe combatants to be treated as prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions. It also focused on South Africa’s violation of the Namibian peace accord.

In December 1988 South Africa signed the UN Plan for the Independence of Namibia, which led to the holding of free elections in November 1989. With the Namibia Support Committee, the AAM set up a Namibia Emergency Campaign to mobilise British support for Namibian independence and solidarity with the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO). This leaflet warned that South Africa was sabotaging the peace process. It called for continued support for Namibia after independence.

This Festival brought together speakers from the Namibia Support Committee and Wales AAM with the Cuban ambassador, who spoke about his country’s support for Angola against South African aggression. The conference was followed by an evening concert with music from the Cardiff Red Choir and singer songwriter Maria Tolly.

In November 1989 elections were held for a constituent assembly to draw up Namibia’s first democratic constitution. The South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) won 57% of the vote. In Britain the Namibia Emergency Campaign set up by the AAM and Namibia Support Committee campaigned for continuing international support for the people of Namibia. This leaflet publicised a conference for grassroots activists in January 1990. The conference took place after the election but before the declaration of Namibian independence on 21 March 1990. 

T-shirt produced to celebrate the independence of Namibia

Badge produced to celebrate the independence of Namibia

The AAM joined with other groups to organise this concert celebrating Namibia’s independence on 21 March 1990.

The Namibia Support Committee made regular appeals for medical supplies for Namibian refugees. This leaflet listed equipment and medicines needed by a Maternity and Childcare Clinic set up the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) for Namibian refugees in southern Angola. Local AA groups and the AAM’s Women’s and Health Committees held collections for the appeal.

T-shirt produced for SWAPO Women’s Council. SWAPO women members worked with the AAM Women’s Committee to collect goods needed by women living in SWAPO camps in Angola.

In 1978 the UN Security Council passed Resolution 435 setting out a plan for transition to Namibian independence. After ten years of negotiations between the Western Contact Group of five UN Security Council members and South Africa, agreement was reached on implementation of the plan in December 1988. Namibia held democratic elections in November 1989 and celebrated its independence on 21 March 1990.

Badge in the colours of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO).

Badge in the colours of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO).

T-shirt calling for support for the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), featuring a woman guerrilla fighter with a baby on her back.

T-shirt calling for support for the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO).

Mug publicising the campaign for support for the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) and independence for Namibia. The same design was used on T-shirts and badges.