note from the editor WELCOME TO THIS ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF ACTSA NEWS
The articles in ACTSA News do not necessarily represent any agreed position of ACTSA itself.
EDITORS/
Katharine Collins and John and Maggie Paterson
FRONT COVER/
This spring we will again be protesting at the Anglo-American mining company’s AGM in London. It is a disgrace that 20 years after the end of apartheid the miners devastated by silicosis as a result of poor safety measures still haven’t received decent compensation and healthcare. See page 13 for more information including how you can join the protest and other actions you can take.
Voters queue in Sowento, 1994. CREDIT / Mike Sparham
BACK COVER/
South Africans queue for the first democratic election, 1994 CREDIT / Susan Wilson
LAYOUT/
ACTSA has moved, please update your records Action for Southern Africa 308-312 Grays Inn Road London WC1X 8DP
TEL/
020 7186 0750
The new anti-apartheid archives website, Forward to Freedom, is now live where you can see photos, posters and interviews from the movement. The archive is fascinating and I recommend you take a look – you might even spot yourself in one of the pictures! ACTSA will be holding our annual fundraising dinner on Friday 28th November, so please note that in your diaries.
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ADDRESS/
Welcome to this special edition of ACTSA News, celebrating 20 years of freedom and democracy in South Africa. The last two decades have seen significant victories in the fight for equality and justice, but there are huge challenges to overcome before South Africa’s visionary constitution becomes a reality. Our two feature articles look back at the progress made in Southern African since the end of apartheid and discuss the problems the region has yet to overcome. Providing a South African perspective is Lawson Naidoo who is currently executive secretary of CASAC (The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution) and was based at the ANC Mission London from 1987 to 1992. South Africa was not the only country that was devastated by the apartheid regime. Paul Fauvet, who has been living and working in Mozambique for more than 30 years, provides a vivid account of the political and economic situation there since 1994.
EMAIL/
info@actsa.org
Thank you, as always, for your continuing support. I have recently joined the ACTSA staff team and been lucky enough to hear from a good number of you about your own individual involvements in the AAM and in ACTSA. I have found your dedication to the freedom of the region truly inspiring, and for that I would like to personally thank you. Best wishes
WEBSITE/
www.actsa.org Katharine Collins Fundraising and Communications Office