Abstract:
Harnessing international support for the struggle against apartheid was a major
aspect of international solidarity work, and publicising the atrocities of
apartheid and the role of the liberation movements in combating apartheid
was therefore a campaign priority. The British Anti-Apartheid Movement
(AAM) emphasised informing the British public about developments in South
Africa as one of its core functions. In this article one aspect of this activity
namely the AAM’s own publication, The Anti-Apartheid News is analysed. A
survey of the paper illustrates how the AAM used it to inform the British public
about both apartheid and the African National Congress’s (ANC) history and
ideology. Through the newspaper the AAM was able to increase international
solidarity with and support for the ANC. The article argues that the AAM
therefore played a pivotal role in popularising the ANC and helping to establish
its reputation internationally as the authentic representative of the people of
South Africa.
