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African liberation movements

African liberation movements arose from a growing nationalism among previously divided African communities, the unfulfilled promise of self-determination following the end of World War II and the weakened economic and political capacities of Western Europe.

Our collection contains a wide range of materials representing liberation movements from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, and the Congo (DRC). Our collection also features containing Human Rights Reports from South Africa, IKWEZI, a revolutionary Azanian journal, and a sub-collection containing general resources about the continent. This collection includes audio and paper materials.

Strengths of the collection include materials on the role of women in African liberation struggles and national reconstruction, an interesting assortment of periodicals from Southern Africa, speeches and interviews with revolutionary leaders from across the continent, audio from solidarity events in the United States, and a set of human rights reports compiled during the transition from Apartheid to democracy in South Africa.

Subcollections

  • Africa- General Resources
    This collection contains general resources about various themes related to the African continent. The collection draws from many types of materials (periodicals, books, pamphlets) and many different countries (Kenya, Guinea, Tanzania).
  • Angola, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique
    This collection contains materials from the liberation struggles in former Portuguese colonies. Guinea Bissau gained independence in 1973 and Mozambique and Angola achieved independence in 1975.
  • Anti-Apartheid Solidarity
    This collection contains materials from Bay Area anti-apartheid movements of the 1980s originating from various sources, primarily Bay Area-based South African solidarity groups.
  • Eritrea
    Eritrea is located in the Horn of Africa. It gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1991 after a 30 year struggle for independence.
  • IKWEZI
    IKWEZI is a revolutionary Azanian Journal based on Marxism-Leninism-Mao Tsetung Thought.
  • South Africa
    This collection contains a variety of materials which focus on the anti-apartheid movement both within and outside of South Africa.
  • South Africa: Human Rights Reports
    The Human Rights Commission published weekly, monthly and annual reports. In addition, occasional in-depth special reports were published on important human rights issues.
  • SWAPO- Namibia
    SWAPO (Southwest Africa Peoples Organization) was formed in 1960 to fight for liberation in present day Namibia. Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990.
  • Zaire-DRC
    This collection contains materials from the Congolese struggle against neocolonialism and the rule of General Mobuto Sese Seko.
  • Zimbabwe
    This collection contains information about the liberation struggle in Zimbabwe, mainly focused on the struggle against Rhodesia and white settler rule.

Documents

Statement by People Occupying South African Airways Statement by People Occupying South African Airways
Date: 12/6/1984Volume Number: 6-DecFormat: StatementCollection: Anti-Apartheid Solidarity
States reason for occupying South African Airways in San Francisco - no business as usual until apartheid overthrown
Embargo South Africa Not Nicaragua! Embargo South Africa Not Nicaragua!
Publisher: Freedom Rising! Africa Solidarity CommitteeFormat: StatementCollection: Anti-Apartheid Solidarity
Statement re: Reagan imposing trade embargo against Nicaragua, yet saying sanctions against South Africa won't work
The Way Ahead: Strategies for the Women's Movement The Way Ahead: Strategies for the Women's Movement
Author: Ottilie AbrahamsDate: 11/2/1990Volume Number: 2-NovFormat: StatementCollection: SWAPO- Namibia
Sexism and Namibian Society Sexism and Namibian Society
Author: Ottilie AbrahamsDate: 3/2/1990Volume Number: 2-MarFormat: StatementCollection: SWAPO- Namibia
Western Hypocrisy and Immorality Exposed: Plot Against Decolonization of Namibia Western Hypocrisy and Immorality Exposed: Plot Against Decolonization of Namibia
Authors: Sam Nujoma, President of SWAPODate: 5/2/1981Volume Number: 2-MayFormat: StatementCollection: SWAPO- Namibia
Declaration of the Central Committee of the EPLF concerning negotiations with the Ethiopian Regime Declaration of the Central Committee of the EPLF concerning negotiations with the Ethiopian Regime
Author: Central Committee Eritrean People's Liberation FrontPublisher: Eritran People's Liberation FrontDate: 1/31/1980Volume Number: 31-JanFormat: StatementCollection: Eritrea
Resolutions of the 8th Congress of the National Unions of Eritrean Workers & Students in N. America and the 6th Congress of the National Union of Eritrean Women in N. America Resolutions of the 8th Congress of the National Unions of Eritrean Workers & Students in N. America and the 6th Congress of the National Union of Eritrean Women in N. America
Publisher: Coordinating Committee of EPLF Mass OrganizationsDate: 8/15/1984Volume Number: 15-AugFormat: StatementCollection: Eritrea
Statement by Comrade Joe Moabi, acting director of finance, on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Statement by Comrade Joe Moabi, acting director of finance, on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Author: Joe MoabiPublisher: Pan Africanist Congress of AzaniaDate: 3/21/1984Volume Number: 21-MarFormat: StatementCollection: South Africa
PAC- Latest Developments in Southern Africa PAC- Latest Developments in Southern Africa
Author: J. MkwanaziPublisher: Pan Africanist Congress of AzaniaDate: 3/13/1984Volume Number: 13-MarFormat: StatementCollection: South Africa