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.
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
Women in Zimbabwe: Interview with Silvia Baraldini
Date: 1/1/1979Call Number: KP 019Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Austin Feminist Radio CollectiveCollection: African liberation movements
Silvia Baraldini describes her experience in Zimbabwe and the history of the Independence Movement in Zimbabwe (ex-British colony of Rhodesia), specifically how the movement for women’s rights took place within the struggle against colonialism. Gives history of Lancaster House Conference, description of the British represented by Lord Carrington, the White settlers represented by Ian Smith and his puppet Bishop Muzarewa, and of the Liberation Forces under Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkromo of ZANU and ZAPO. Discusses the first and second elections, the role of South Africa, Muzarewa’s private army, multinational corporations, Henry Kissinger’s “Detente Effort,” and Mozambique’s assistance of the Liberation Forces. Discusses the mobilization and organization of women primarily to liberate the nation and secondarily in the struggle for women’s rights. Gives analysis of patriarchy within the context of colonialism and imperialism. “Liberation through Participation.”
Tirai Kangai - Zimbabwe after Independence.
He speaks about Zimbabwe establishing its place in the international community; the flight and resettlement of refugees to Mozambique and Zambia; the progress being made in liberated Zimbabwe through a changing of attitudes of whites through education; and the ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Congress) government’s opposition to Apartheid in South Africa.
Event celebrating 40 years of African independence.
Call Number: AFR 042AFormat: Cass AProducers: WBAIProgram: WBAI Special Program: Southern Africa - Africa at 40Collection: African liberation movements
1997 “Africa at 40” event celebrating 40 years of African independence. Mozambique President Chisano speaks about the African goals of unity of purpose, perseverance, awareness of identity, and becoming masters of own destiny. He acknowledges the continued oppression and marginalization, but talks about how African organizations are developing towards justice through new solutions. A member of the Pan Africanist Movement speaks about Kwame Nkrumah, leader of Ghana, and his vision of a united Africa.
Event celebrating 40 years of African Independence
Call Number: AFR 043Format: Cass A & BProducers: WBAIProgram: WBAI Special Program: Southern Africa - Africa at 40Collection: African liberation movements
Continuation of the “Africa at 40” Program.
An event celebrating 40 years of African independence. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and President Sam Nujoma of Namibia speak about Ghana’s 1957 independence from white imperialist colonialism and the formation of the OAU (Organization of African Unity), spurring the drive for unity among all African nations. President Joachim Chisano of Mozambique talks about how the fight for independence was tough, but is not over because while classical colonialism is over, African nations have not realized true independence. Africa lacks economic and social freedom, but they can be accomplished through countries uniting in their struggles.
Colonialism’s influence on African religion
Recorded off mic.
Begins abruptly with a speech by a man about old African religions and folk tales. He speaks about traditional African religions, animism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. “Where the African went wrong in the history of the world was when he adopted foreign gods or foreign interpretation of his gods”. One of the ways Africa was oppressed and colonized was through religious colonization. He talks about how elements of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam can be found in Africa’s own religions, but says that African religions should not be interpreted by outsiders. He describes the history of foreign influence on African religion and slave trade. Next, a woman speaks about Baptists, her own faith, and she speaks about literature originating out of Egypt. Lastly, continuing to Side B, another man speaks about Mozambique.
Imperialist oppression in Southern African countries
Judy Jensen of the Material Aid Campaign for ZANU makes a speech about Southern Africa. She speaks about ZANU’s defeat of white settler colonialism in Zimbabwe and also women’s contributions to the struggle. She discusses the different fronts in the war for the liberation of Southern Africa, and the struggle against the US’s attack on their independence. She talks about struggles in Namibia, South Africa’s control over Southern African countries, and calls for solidarity with Southern African countries. Lastly, she draws comparisons and similarities between the oppression of blacks in America and Africa. Next, Serge Mukendi, US Representative of the Workers and Peasants Movement of the Congo (MOP), speaks about weaknesses in natural and human resources in Africa because they are not in the hands of the Africans. He speaks about the struggles in Congo and tells the audience that it is our duty to strengthen the fight for liberation in Congo through support and solidarity.
On Side B, Eve Rosahn, political activist, Students Against Government Misconduct, speaks about political activists for black liberation who have been tortured and beaten for their actions. Next, a member of the Anti-Springbok 5 chants “Up With Azania, Down With South Africa!”, and speaks about her experiences as an ASB-5, and tells the audience about the Springbok 5 and what they represent. The Springboks are an elite white supremacist South African rugby team traveling the US, representing the spread of white imperialism. Lastly, PAC (Pan African Congress) representative Jackie Mazibuko, speaks about white alliances between Ian Smith of Zimbabwe, the South African government, and the US in their oppression of black Africans. She also speaks about the land issues in Africa, and that all land originally, and still should, belong to black Africans, and that people must have the ideology of revolution to struggle against oppression.
Pan African Congress Chairman Pokela on the PAC and conditions in 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.
Independence of Angola
Radio News Program on the independence of Angola.
About the newly won independence of Angola (11/11/1975), ending violence between the Angolan people and their Portuguese colonizers. The MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola) is recognized for its strong Leadership of the struggle for independence.
Augustino Neto, leader of the FNLA (National Front for the LIberation of Angola) and UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola - led by Jonas Savimbi). He speaks about the cooperation he saw between the different African countries, and celebrates Angolan independence.
Also discussed are the problems in Rwanda between the different racial groups and the negotiations among colonizers and the people of Rwanda.
Also various people speak about Vietnam, Chile, and world events.
Oshewa Kudze: SF Medical Center
The commander of medical care in Mozambique's refugee camps explains the problems of displaced refugees. Because of the heightened political turmoil, refugee camps in surrounding areas such as Rhodesia, Zimbabwe are being overpopulated. The commander explains that Mozambique's numbers in camps are rapidly increasing due to displaced people joining their camps. Population is passing 150,000 and people in crowded camps make medical care difficult. Threats of an epidemic such as typhoid can create a massive danger and vaccines are not being provided efficiently. Along with this current struggle, the commander explains the past injustices the Rhodesian army was doing to innocent refugees. Injustices like US supplied napalm, infecting drinking water and just providing the vaccination to white Africans, killing 700 in one camp, and poisoning crops.
Imperialist Strategy in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa
Publisher: May 19th Communist OrganizationDate: 9/15/1978Volume Number: 15-SepFormat: MonographCollection: Angola, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique
Statement by Samora Machel concerning imperialism in Southern Africa.
