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South Africa

This collection contains a variety of materials which focus on the anti-apartheid movement both within and outside of South Africa. Themes and voices in this collection range from: the Pan African Congress, The Black Consciousness Movement, the US student movement, external interventions against apartheid, the labor movement within South Africa, and the Springbok 5.

Sources produced by Black South Africans and anti-apartheid groups within South Africa sought to spread the word about the realities of apartheid and actions that were taking place on the ground in South Africa. The materials created by groups outside of the region focus on external interventions in support of apartheid (mercenaries, Shell Oil, etc) and how people could oppose Apartheid despite ones distance from South Africa.

Materials included in this collection are: South African newspaper clippings, newsletters, speeches, statements and political programs from South African anti-apartheid groups, South African labor union political reports, flyers for anti-apartheid protests from United States student groups, and monographs focusing on multinational corporations and their support of apartheid.

Highlighted Periodicals:

Workteam: The Worker’s Co-op Magazine is a magazine for production co-operatives throughout Southern Africa. All articles deal in some way with the daily work and learning of the workers’ co-operative movement. We will keep questioning the direction of the movement and its methods of organization in light of experience. Periodical was published in Gaborone, Botswana. Two issues, 1989-1990.

ANC News Briefing: Press cuttings and news clippings from news sources in South Africa as well as based internationally. Nine issues, 1986-1990.

Learn and Teach: Learn and Teach Publications was published in Johannesburg, South Africa. Two issues, both from 1990.

ERASER (Alternative Youth Magazine): ERASE sees its objective as getting people to identify, confront and challenge the divisive ideologies of Racism and Sexism through running workshops, producing alternative media and by developing and availing resources to those interested in the project’s work. ERASE is not affiliated to any political organization and will service any structure which is fighting Racism and Sexism. Three issues, 1991-1992.

SPEAK: A periodical by and for women, SPEAK was published in Johannesburg, South Africa. Eighteen issues, 1989-1993.

Work in Progress: An independent analytical journal has provided incisive political and economic commentary and information on Southern African developments and opposition to Apartheid. Three issues, all from 1990.

Upfront: An independent publication aimed at providing informative and analytical articles reflecting the exciting and changing times in South Africa. One issue, from 1989.

Azanian Labour Journal: Azanian Labour Journal was created to keep you informed of events and currents in the labour movement including those which other publications shy away from. Four issues, 1990-1992. 

Azanian News: The official organ of the Pan-African Congress. Three issues, 1977-1983.

Mayibuye: Journal of the African National Congress (ANC). Mayibuye, a Zulu term meaning “bringing back what was lost” was the journal of the ANC from 1990-1998. 10 issues, 1990-1993.  

SeChaba: Official organ of the African National Congress. SeChaba was the ANC official periodical during the time the organization was banned in South Africa (1967-1990). SeChaba was published in London, England. Four issues, 1972-1987.

Documents

Interview of Mike Tissong, a white newspaper reporter for a South African white newspaper, about his views on news censorship and the political and social situation in South Africa Interview of Mike Tissong, a white newspaper reporter for a South African white newspaper, about his views on news censorship and the political and social situation in South Africa
Call Number: AFR 027Format: Cass A & BCollection: South Africa
Mike Tissong, a white newspaper reporter for a South African Anglo newspaper, is interviewed about his views on news censorship. He speaks about the types of views presented in the news depending on the type of newspaper (liberal, conservative, white, or black),and about the government censorship of black liberation prevalent in South Africa. Tissong also speaks on the dangers of being a white reporter in black townships because that is where the struggle is being waged. He mentions the horrible practice of prison detention of children, and laments the lack of those calling for sanctions (besides prominent people like Desmond Tutu). He comments on the current situation of oppressed people supporting the struggle against Apartheid through armed struggle. He mentions Robert Mugabe’s liberation strategy of a “bullet for a bullet” by killing whites. Tissong speaks about black on black violence in South Africa, pointing out two levels: one of the right wing (IFP - Inkatha Freedom Party), the other from cultural movements in Natal. On political and social movements and organizations, he talks about the Black Consciousness Movement and its call for a stop to violence, and the UDF’s (United Democratic Front) call for violence in the struggle. Lastly, he speaks on the west’s (United States) view of Southern Africa, as they treat it like a game. The west only supports groups like AZAPO (Azanian People’s Organization), but ignores ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union), and only recognizes the ANC (African National Congress), not other South African liberation organizations.
Pan African Congress representative speaks on how the people of South Africa are organized and ready to fight white rule. Pan African Congress representative speaks on how the people of South Africa are organized and ready to fight white rule.
Call Number: AFR 031AFormat: Cass ACollection: South Africa
A speech by a PAC (Pan African Congress) representative on how the people of South Africa are organized and ready for the fight against the white imperialists. He also praises the solidarity of the people of Azania and the United States. The speech ends with the chant “Up with Azania, down with South Africa” and the singing of the South Africa National Anthem, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica.
Saths Cooper on South African issues and Steve Biko. Saths Cooper on South African issues and Steve Biko.
Date: 9/24/1987Call Number: AFR 061Format: Cass A & BCollection: South Africa
Saths Cooper, president of South Africa’s Professional Board for Psychology, speaks about Steve Biko, leader of the Black Consciousness movement. He speaks about Apartheid and colonization’s influences on South Africans. He claims that the west usually ignores the exploitation and wrongs of colonization on South Africa, and instead concentrates only on anti-Apartheid movements. The struggle is both at the national and social levels. The struggle means repossession of land and social transformation. Whites own most of the land in South Africa, but constitute only 15% of the population. Cooper also talks about how the youth have taken the lead in the revolution because they have vested interest in their futures, so they fight against resignation to the law. He says, “The youth have become the collective consciousness of a people denied on a political, social, and economic level.” He speaks about racial and economic hierarchies in South Africa, and about Steve Biko’s influence and student organization influence. He lastly speaks about how AZAPO (Azanian People’s Organization) follows Black Consciousness ideologies, while other organizations in South Africa follow AZAPO’s ideology, and he claims that Biko had to be killed when he did (1977) because people were unified under UDF (United Democratic Front - a South African umbrella organization of banned black organizations) and they realized they had a common enemy, so they needed to strike together. Therefore, the government killed Biko because of his strong influence and threat to the psychological impact of Apartheid. Cooper’s talk is followed by a question and answer session, and continues to Side B.
ZANU representatives interview two South African women about education in their coutnry. Also, French radio program on Congo. ZANU representatives interview two South African women about education in their coutnry. Also, French radio program on Congo.
Call Number: AFR 064Format: Cass A & BCollection: South Africa
Recorded off mic. ZANU representatives interview two women from South Africa about education in South Africa. The South African women from Soweto speak about the lack of education for children in South Africa, especially those from the townships. Recording breaks abruptly into a French radio program on the Congo, recorded in French. Side B is a continuation of French radio program.
Elizabeth Sibeko of the Pan African Congress Elizabeth Sibeko of the Pan African Congress
Call Number: AFR 067Format: Cass A & BCollection: South Africa
Elizabeth Sibeko of the PAC (Pan African Congress) in South Africa speaks about the PAC delegation to a women’s conference in Nairobi, Kenya. She speaks about the Portuguese, French, and American involvement in South African affairs and oppression, and speaks about how the solidarity that has been shown the people of South Africa is helping to liberate the African people. On Side B, she continues to speak about children’s and student’s roles in the struggle against Apartheid and oppression. She says that they have the advantage of large population, organization, and direction.
Pan African Congress on conditions in South Africa Pan African Congress on conditions in South Africa
Date: 11/20/1984Call Number: AFR 068Format: Cass A & BCollection: South Africa
PAC (Pan African Congress) deputy president Johnson Mlambo speaks about the PAC’s role in the struggle for liberation in South Africa. He talks about black African’s struggle for land, and fighting against imprisonment of activists. He also speaks about the conditions of South African jails. N. Pokela, chairman of the PAC, speaks about the solidarity and determination needed among all Africans and South Africans to fight against Apartheid. Side B is a question and answer period.
Pan African Congress Chairman Pokela on the PAC and conditions in South Africa. Pan African Congress Chairman Pokela on the PAC and conditions in South Africa.
Date: 11/8/1982Call Number: AFR 069Format: Cass A & BCollection: South Africa
Judy Jensen of the Material Aid Campaign for ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union) interviews PAC (Pan African Congress) chairman Pokela about the PAC campaigns in South African townships and cities. He speaks about how the PAC insists on conducting an armed struggle and guerilla warfare, and also that Gatsha Buthelezi is an independent and not the voice of PAC, although he is a member. Pokela speaks about the Soweto Uprisings. He talks about how one must go back into the history of Soweto to understand the significance of the uprisings, and how Africans can achieve their own independence, and their own rights. He talks about how the Soweto Uprising campaign is similar to PAC campaign, and then speaks about workers’ rights and job conditions. Side B is a continuation of Side A PAC Chairman Pokela speaks about unification between the PAC and Black Consciousness Movements, thereby uniting the people internally. He speaks about the need for all Africans to be united, and speaks about how other African countries such as Algeria, Angola, and Mozambique have been good examples for black South Africans. He speaks about the possible involvement of women in the PAC. Lastly, he says that Nationalism, Pan Africanism, and Socialism are central to the PAC.
Azanian People’s Organization representative on Apartheid Azanian People’s Organization representative on Apartheid
Call Number: AFR 079AFormat: Cass ACollection: South Africa
A representative of AZAPO (Azanian People’s Organization) speaks about Apartheid issues in a question and answer format. He calls people to be committed as revolutionaries to tell the whole truth about the evils of Apartheid. He also speaks about the importance of black identity. He highlights the need to raise consciousness about oppression in South Africa, and talks about AZAPO’s stance on worker’s rights and issues. He says that AZAPO’s goal is to ensure worker’s liberation and rightful place and fair share of wealth in society.
AZAPO and conditions in Southern Africa AZAPO and conditions in Southern Africa
Call Number: AFR 081Format: Cass A & BCollection: South Africa
Program on AZAPO and the state of Southern Africa. AZAPO chairman Pokela, SWAPO representative, and AZAPO representative Nick Tucker speak. AZAPO (Azanian People’s Organization) chairman Pokela speaks about the lack of knowledge people in the United States and Europe have about the struggles in Azania. He also speaks about how the native African people lost their land and their rights to the white imperialists. He says that in order for Africans to fight back, they must remove their inferiority complexes (as Robert Sobukwe, former president of the PAC (Pan African Congress), suggests). He speaks about the injustices of the Pass Laws in South Africa, and encourages blacks to go to the prisons and challenge the police to arrest them. Next, a woman representative of SWAPO (South West African People’s Organization - dedicated to opposing injustice in Southern Africa) speaks about the problems of violence in South Africa, and also about the bloody war going on in Namibia. She speaks about the policy of “Destabilization” that was designed by the white Nationalists, and about the Western media’s perception, pressure, and influence on events in South Africa. Lastly, Nick Tucker of AZAPO speaks about AZAPO and the current events and conditions in Southern Africa, mourning the large number of murders in the area. He quotes Amilcar Cabral, “We should tell no lies and claim no easy victory”. Tucker speaks about two theories that determine revolutions: 1) To have a revolution, one must have a revolutionary theory and convey it to the masses. 2) Continued economic depression will heighten revolutionary anarchy and the masses will want to organize and revolt. He says that AZAPO is trying to do the former strategy. Lastly, Tucker speaks about the formation of black worker’s unions - that they form under Black Consciousness because black men can truly understand the hardships and oppression of other blacks, and can then translate that idea to whites.
Pan African Congress speeches Pan African Congress speeches
Call Number: AFR 086Format: Cass A & BCollection: South Africa
PAC (Pan African Congress) speeches. A PAC representative gives a speech on his experiences as a political prisoner in Robben Island, South Africa. He recounts the PAC’s role in fighting Apartheid and describes the PAC’s goals, which are not to remove Apartheid, but to destroy the whole system and create a new South Africa. A woman representative of the PAC speaks about the PAC’s and United States’ roles in fighting Apartheid in South Africa. She also speaks about the Springbok tour in America. Others speak about reconciling the US and South Africa, being involved in the community, and about PAC accomplishments in Southern Africa and Azania.