new internationalist
issue 159 - May 1986
Pressure points
People in every Western countryare taking action of some kind against the South African Government. Dedicated individuals work voluntarily in offices, deliver leaflets and hold endless meetings. And black South Africans are grateful for this support. They believe that the future of the country will be determined by black people themselves but see Western isolation of the Government as a key way of reducing the length of their battle.
In general they approve of the methods used by Western anti-apartheid groups, though some people feel Western activists wrongly assume the right to determine which groups in the liberation movement are worth supporting and which are not. But they are clear that we must step up the pressure for economic sanctions by our governments and disinvestment by Western companies (see Black South Africa Speaks).
Here we profile the main groups involved and assess their action priorities according to the symbols below.
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AWARENESS RAISING Involves public meetings, conferences and workshops; producing publications; and contacts with the mass media. |
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DIRECT AID Involves legal aid to victims; aid to refugees and families of political pnsoners; scholarships for study outside South Africa; and health, education and development projects. |
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PEOPLES SANCTIONS Involves consumer boycotts of South African products; opposing cultural, academic and sporting links; and withdrawal of accounts from banks with South African links. |
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DIRECT ACTION Involves protest marches, demonstrations, and vigils; picketing of shops and South African embassies; and lobbying politicians. |
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PRESSURE FOR SANCTIONS AND DISINVESTMENT Involves campaigning to force companies to stop investing in South Africa; for government bans on trade and loans, and for an embargo on arms sales and military co-operation. |
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SUPPORT FOR ARMED STRUGGLE Involves financial and material support for national liberation movements. |
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Campaign Against Racial Exploitation (CARE), Anti-Apartheid Movement Free Namibia and SA Campaign Community Aid Abroad Luthuli Group Western Australian CARE
Citizens Against Racism and Apartheid, Toronto Committee for the Canadians Coneerned about Southern Africa, SACTU Solidarity Committee Southern Africa Solidarity Committee, Inter-Church Coalition on Africa |
Task Force on the Churches and International Defence and Aid Southern Africa Action Coalition Manitoba Coalition of
HART, International Defence and Aid Citizens Association for Racial Equality, ANC Support Group University Students Association
Anti-Apartheid Movement End Loans to Southern Africa Christian Concern for Southern Africa, International Defence and Aid Committee on SA War |
War on Want Namibia Support Committee Catholic Institute for International Relations, Oxfam, British Council of Churches World University Service Amnesty International, United Nations Association Third World First, National Union of Students Co-operation for Development
Free South Africa Movement American Committee on Africa / Africa Fund, Shell Oil Boycott, Campaign for Illinois |
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Greg Malebo, member of the General and Allied Workers Union. 'The argument that blacks would be hurt by sanctions is all idle talk. We are suffering already from rampant poverty, disease and massive unemployment and a little suffering added to our burden won't make much difference. It is striking that this argument is pushed by those who enjoy privileged positions at work and in the community. It comes from those who have - either directly or indirectly - a stake in the scheme of things. When the system of capitalism, which is the real enemy, is finally crushed, these people will definitely lose something.' Oko Mabasa, English Literacy teacher. 'Although I agree that blacks will suffer most in the event of sanctions, you have to be aware that blacks are suffering now. And adding this little suffering to their present plight will almost certainly alleviate things. Only those with full bellies can find justification in the argument against sanctions. The haves and most certainly not the have-nots. The readiness with which America has applied sanctions to Libya, alongside its reluctance to enforce them against South Africa, is a clear example of the West's hypocrisy.' |









