Collection GB 0074 LMA/4421 - ANTI APARTHEID MOVEMENT {LONDON BRANCH}

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0074 LMA/4421

Title

ANTI APARTHEID MOVEMENT {LONDON BRANCH}

Date(s)

  • 197- - 199- (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

1.21 linear metres

Context area

Name of creator

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.

Archival history

GB 0074 LMA/4421 197- - 199- Collection 1.21 linear metres Anti Apartheid Movement , London Branch

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.

Gifted to the archive in November 2000.

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.

Both the Publications sub-series and the Ephemera sub-series have been weeded. Duplicates as well as publications and ephemera from organisations not represented amongst the records were destroyed.

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.

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

Copyright of these records rests with the Corporation of London.

English

Fit

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

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.

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.

June to August 2010. Anti Apartheid Movement , London Branch Political activists Pressure groups Interest groups Racial discrimination Racial prejudice Interethnic relations Apartheid Racial segregation Political movements Protest movements Human rights movements Anti-apartheid movements Groups Campaign groups Political sociology Political behaviour Political participation London England UK Western Europe Europe South Africa Southern Africa

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Gifted to the archive in November 2000.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

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.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Both the Publications sub-series and the Ephemera sub-series have been weeded. Duplicates as well as publications and ephemera from organisations not represented amongst the records were destroyed.

Accruals

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 of access and use area

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.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

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.

Finding aids

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

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

London Metropolitan Archives

Rules and/or conventions used

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.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area