ANTI APARTHEID MOVEMENT {LONDON BRANCH}

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0074 LMA/4421
Held at	: London Metropolitan Archives   Click here to find out how to view this collection at https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma ›
Full title	: ANTI APARTHEID MOVEMENT {LONDON BRANCH}
Date(s)	: 197- - 199-
Level of description	: Collection
Extent	: 1.21 linear metres
Name of creator(s)	: Anti Apartheid Movement | London Branch

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

The Anti Apartheid Movement grew out of the Boycott Movement, set up in 1959 as an appeal for people to withdraw support from apartheid by not buying South African goods. Following the Sharpeville massacre of 21 March 1960, the decision was taken to extend the activities of the movement, thereby creating the Anti Apartheid Movement, a permanent organisation to campaign for the eradication of apartheid.

In the course of its work the Anti Apartheid Movement campaigned widely for the release of political prisoners, for the arms embargo, and for an end to investment in South Africa, as well as appealing for widespread consumer, sports and cultural boycotts.

Although based in Britain, the movement was directly linked with the liberation struggle in South Africa and operated as an instrument of solidarity with the people of South Africa. To this end it worked closely with a number of other organisations such as the African National Congress, SATIS (Southern Africa - the Imprisoned Society), ELTSA (End Loans to South Africa) and MAGIC (Mozambique and Angola Information Centre).

In 1994, following the elections in South Africa, the Anti Apartheid Movement was disbanded and Action for South Africa was set up. This organisation now works to influence decision-makers in Britain and Europe on policies affecting Southern Africa.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Papers of the London Branch of the Anti Apartheid Movement. The records are wide ranging and include minutes, reports, memoranda and correspondence, as well as publications and more ephemeral material documenting the many events and demonstrations organised by the movement. Although the collection relates specifically to the local and regional groups for the London area, the papers are equally concerned with the wider business of the movement, at both the national and international levels. Records of the Annual General Meetings, the National Committee and the Executive Committee are held as well as material from the London Committee and papers of local anti apartheid groups. The papers of David Kenvyn, chairperson of the London Committee and secretary of Redbridge Apartheid Group, reflect the regional and local activities of the movement, while papers from related organisations illustrate the extent to which the movement worked in partnership with other bodies.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

The records have been arranged into nine sub-series:
LMA/4421/01/01 Minutes and related papers;
LMA/4421/01/02 Papers from campaigns, conferences and events;
LMA/4421/01/03 Correspondence;
LMA/4421/01/04 Members;
LMA/4421/01/05 Local anti apartheid groups in London;
LMA/4421/01/06 Papers of David Kenvyn;
LMA/4421/01/07 Papers of related organisations;
LMA/4421/01/08 Publications;
LMA/4421/01/09 Ephemera.

Conditions governing access:

These records are open to public inspection, although records containing personal information may be subject to closure periods.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copyright of these records rests with the Corporation of London.

Finding aids:

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Gifted to the archive in November 2000.

Allied Materials

Related material:

The central archive of the Anti Apartheid Movement is held at Rhodes House Library, Oxford. Material relating to the Anti Apartheid Movement in Scotland can be consulted at Caledonian University, Glasgow.

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
June to August 2010.