1986-89
Widespread conflict between Inkatha and UDF in Natal.
1986-90
The City of London Anti-Apartheid Group maintained a Non-Stop Picket outside the South African Embassy on Trafalgar Square, calling for the release of Nelson Mandela.
1987
Robin Renwick appointed British Ambassador to South Africa. South African Embassy pressured UK Government to end the non-stop picket outside their premises. The Metropolitan Police used an obscure bylaw to remove protesters (May to Jul) but the police stopped enforcing this ban after 4 MPs joined protestors.29 Major strike by NUM (largest union within COSATU) (Aug). Escalating bomb attacks against urban targets. South African government covertly bombed HQ of COSATU. Establishment of Civil Co-operation Bureau (CCB). Renewed Angolan/Cuban offensive against UNITA/SADF forces in Angola (Oct). Vancouver CHOGM30 (Oct). No new sanctions adopted. All members (except UK) agreed to set up Committee of Foreign Ministers to monitor developments and to commission study on South Africa’s relationship with international financial institutions. By year end 143 American companies (approximately 50 per cent of the total) had left South Africa, 94 since beginning of 1986. (In contrast Japan and Taiwan substantially increased their trade with South Africa in the same period).
1988
Anti-Apartheid Movement initiated Nelson Mandela ‘Freedom at 70’ campaign. KwaNdebele, one of the African homelands setup by the South African government: ‘independence’ resisted. South African government covertly bombed HQ of South African Council of Churches. South African security raids against neighbouring frontline states. Fighting in Angola’s Cuando-Cubango province, which boarded South West Africa. Military stalemate followed by new round of negotiations, beginning with meeting in London (May). Subsequent protracted negotiations in Cairo, Brazzaville, Geneva and New York. Fourteen Principles ‘for a peaceful settlement’ accepted (Jul). The main London office of South African Airways occupied by members of the Anti-Apartheid Movement as part of their campaign, ‘No rights; No flights’.31 New York Accords on Namibia (simultaneous Cuban withdrawal (approximately 50,000) from Angola, and South African troops (over
29
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cD0tJvzSQ4 [Accessed 30 Sept. 2013] http://thecommonwealth.org/history-of-the-commonwealth/10th-chogm [Accessed 30 Sept. 2013] 31 http://nonstopagainstapartheid.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/south-african-airways-closed-occupied-threetimes-in-one-day/ [Accessed 30 Sept. 2013] 30
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