Records of Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA)

Skip to menu
Skip to content

Reference number	41242
Date(s)	c.1950 - 2001
Level	Collection
Extent	15 boxes
Description	This collection contains the administrative records of the Bristol branch of Action For Southern Africa (formerly Bristol Anti-Apartheid Movement). These records include: correspondence (c.1964 - 1997); minutes of meetings (1988 - 1996); membership records (c.1975 - 1983); and annual reports (1986 - 2001). The financial records series does not contain much information, only an accounts book for 1964 and a cheque book for 1965-1966. In addition to these records is a large series of illustrative material which includes: leaflets and reports for campaigns of interest to the organisation; photographs of events organised or attended by members of the organisation; books and pamphlets published by the national Anti-Apartheid Movement, the ANC and others (c.1950 - 2001); many leaflets published by the national Anti-Apartheid Movement; various newsletters and newspaper articles related campaigns; a series of posters which include not only printed posters by many hand drawn posters used at protests during the 1980s and early 1990s.
Administrative history	Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) is the successor organisation to the Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM). ACTSA was formed in 1994 following calls by southern African groups and organisations for continued international support following the end of apartheid. The Bristol branch of the Anti Apartheid Movement was formed in response to increasing oppression of people speaking out against apartheid in South Africa. The group's first public meeting took place on 24th September 1964. The key speaker was Joe Slovo, a leading member of the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC). He was later a minister in South Africa's post-apartheid government. The Bristol group became one of the most active anti-apartheid groups, organising meetings, pickets, vigils, fundraising events and political discussions. At its peak in 1989, the Bristol AAM had 1150 members from all sectors of society. Supporters of the group included local politicians and Bristol City Council. Bristol AAM set up a political prisoners group to highlight repression and violence against people who spoke out against apartheid in South Africa. The group's activities included petitions, letter-writing, vigils, street events and sending greetings to prisoners' families. Bristol AAM actively supported the campaign to free Nelson Mandela. Following the end of Apartheid with the first free elections in South Africa in 1994, Bristol Anti Aparthied Movement became the Bristol Branch of Action for Southern Africa and continued its campaigns for equality and peace in other South African countries throughout the 1990s and into the 21st Century.
Access status	Open
Access conditions	None
Related material	See the memoirs and letters of activist Ron Press, ref. 41851.
Associated material	The national Anti-Apartheid Movement archive is held at the Bodleian Library, Oxford.

Allied Material Administration Financial records Illustrative Material