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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

PAC Chairman  Nyati Pokela  interview (Pan Africanist Congress of South Africa) PAC Chairman Nyati Pokela interview (Pan Africanist Congress of South Africa)
Date: 11/13/1982Call Number: AFR 009AFormat: Cass AProgram: Songs of FreedomCollection: South Africa
Judy Jensen of the Material Aid Campaign for ZANU interviews the Chairman of South Africa’s PAC (Pan Africanist Congress). Nyati Pokela speaks about the history and purpose of the PAC and explains what Bantustans are and why they were created. He explains why the PAC and the ANC (African National Congress) deem it necessary to engage in armed struggle against the Apartheid government, and how the PAC’s leaders lead by example by taking risks for the cause. Pokelu details the role of women in the struggle and the conditions of the black population of South Africa, and explains the unequal development of different African countries toward independence. He talks about the similarities between the struggles in South Africa and the US, and calls for solidarity with the PAC and Africa’s cause.
Interview of AZAPO Representative about the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa. Interview of AZAPO Representative about the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa.
Call Number: AFR 063AFormat: Cass ACollection: South Africa
Recorded off mic, poor recording Interview of a representative of AZAPO (Azanian People’s Organization) about AZAPO in South Africa. He speaks about how the racist Apartheid regime attempts to set up “independence” within the urban townships, or “homelands”, but how the homelands were rejected by the people of South Africa. He speaks about the oppression of blacks and how they have joined forces with coloreds and Indians to fight Apartheid, and describes the legal restrictions placed on black Africans.
IKWEZI: A Black Liberation Journal of South African and Southern African Political Analysis IKWEZI: A Black Liberation Journal of South African and Southern African Political Analysis
Year: 1980Volume Number: No. 14 MarchFormat: PeriodicalCollection: IKWEZI
In this Issue: State and Revolution in Zimbabwe; ANC-CP and Internal Settlement in Azania; Problem of the Azanian Revolution; The Eighties: Decades of World War III and Revolutions; Racist Marxism-Leninism: How the French Communist Party tried to Sabotage the Algerian Revolution; Samir Amin on National Liberation. Socialism, Imperialism and the West Centered View of World History; Iran, Afghanistan, Kampuchea; Mao Zedong on Building Communist Parties in Africa; more
Mayibuye: Journal of the African National Congress Mayibuye: Journal of the African National Congress
Publisher: African National Congress South Africa (ANC)Year: 1990Volume Number: Vol. 1-1 July-AugustFormat: PeriodicalCollection: South Africa
Cover Story: The Masses are always the Key. Inside this Issue: Building People\'s Power; Mandela\'s International Tour; Interview with Thabo Mbeki; SACP Launch; more.
Work in Progress Work in Progress
Publisher: Southern African Research ServiceYear: 1990Volume Number: No. 66 MayFormat: PeriodicalCollection: South Africa
Inside this Issue: The ANC comes home. Back to the Future; SACP- The Internal underground speaks; Environment: Ozone-friendly politics; Housing- the money or the matchbox
Letsetse- The Flea Letsetse- The Flea
Publisher: Black Consciousness Movement of Azania (BCMA)Year: 1990Volume Number: Vol. 1-8 AprilFormat: PeriodicalCollection: South Africa
Includes: Bantustan Coups and Tricks; Further Aggression Against BCM Cadres; and Two Issues Related to Women and the Struggle
The Bantustans in Crisis The Bantustans in Crisis
Publisher: National Land CommitteeDate: 6/1990Volume Number: JuneFormat: ReportCollection: South Africa
Contents: Preface; Introduction; Common Citizenship in a United South Africa; Ciskei; Bophuthatswana; Venda; Gazankulu; Qwaqwa; Lebowa; Kangwane; Transkei; Conclusion.
White South Africa\'s Outward Adventures: An appraisal from the standpoint of National Liberation White South Africa\'s Outward Adventures: An appraisal from the standpoint of National Liberation
Author: Andrew Mangunte LukelePublisher: Black Consciousness Movement (Azania)Date: 6/1976Volume Number: JuneFormat: MonographCollection: South Africa
The incentive for this essay comes from the announcement made late in 1974 by the Prime Minister of South Africa to the effect that South Africa was now poised for a major shift in policy which would take effect within six months. We recognize the urgency of the need for the liberation movement and for all who are committed to the cause of liberation in Southern Africa to develop independent tools of theoretical analysis which must guide action towards liberation.