In 1980s Britain, the anti-apartheid movement drew nationwide support. Its mission was to end South Africa's racist apartheid system. And as TV reports from that country showed increasing violence, support for anti-apartheid grew.

"With the media coverage. We could look at, oh, my goodness, this system is actually attacking children. It's shooting children".

The growth in support was a welcome shift for veteran campaigners such as Christabel Gurney, Nadia Joseph and Lela Kogbara. 

"There was a huge spread of people who were involved in other issues like the miners strike, who also started supporting the anti-apartheid movement". 

From simple boycotts to huge rallies, the Anti-Apartheid Movement grew in strength throughout the 80s.

"The boycott was very important because it was something everybody could do".

As activists and campaigners came together under the Anti-Apartheid banner, pressure grew on governments and businesses to withdraw support for the government in South Africa.

And at the end of the decade, when South Africa's iconic opposition leader Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years as a political prisoner, the Anti-Apartheid Movement celebrated a historic victory.

"I know that from the bottom of my heart, because of the anti-apartheid movement, that knowledge changes how I behave and what I aspire to do. That knowledge that change is possible". 

Introduced by Ardent Theatre Company Creative Director Andrew Muir.

In this Episode:

1:08 - Becoming activated and joining the Anti-Apartheid Movement

1:13 - Success of co-ordinated efforts at national, regional and local levels

1:15 - The importance of the boycott and pressure on big business

1:19 - Campaigning in an analogue age - the power of turning up

1:25 - Solidarity and lasting camaraderies among activists

1:30 - Nelson Mandela is freed - a victory for anti-apartheid campaigners

Activism in the 80s is a Creative Kin production for Ardent Theatre Company.

Executive Producer & Producer: Jason Caffrey

Production music: Ellie Parker

Mixing and Mastering: Adam Double

This production has been supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players.

Links:

https://www.ardenttheatre.co.uk/strike-about

https://www.creativekin.co.uk/

Creative Kin Guest Book

Activism in the 80s Creative Kin mini-site

https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/

https://www.aamarchives.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christabel_Gurney

https://www.alumni.london.ac.uk/holden-lecture-2022-nadia-joseph-biography

https://www.london.ac.uk/senate-house-library/news/new-collection-joseph-archive-mandela-letters-photos

https://www.socialfinance.org.uk/who-we-are/people/lela-kogbara

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-caffrey/

https://www.ardenttheatre.co.uk/andrew-muir

http://www.adamdouble.com/about

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellie-parker-9ba9aa195/

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