TOPIC 4.4 - EXTERNAL RESISTANCE
, EARLY RESPONSE
1950 : Mainly from India , Eastern bloc countries , Independent African states
SHARPEVILLE (1960) = increase awareness
1 April 1960 = UN Security Council strongly disapproved of actions at Sharpeville
6 Nov 1962 = UN General Assembly Resolution
• requested break diplomatic ties with SA , ignored by many (didn’t demand it)
• Created special committee against apartheid
2 Dec 1968 = UN General assembly requested suspension of cultural , education and sporting
exchanges with SA
30 Nov 1973 - UN declared apartheid a crime against humanity
SOWETO UPRISING (1976) = more international opposition
• NP was criticised by western gov. + UN
• Anti Apartheid organisations formed in multiple European countries
• Some gov. provided funding to ANC
BRITISH ANTI APARTHEID MOVEMENT (AAM)
Boycott movement 26 June 1959
• formed by SA exiles at request of Chief Luthuli
• Purpose = boycott SA goods + create awareness
After = Sharpeville : renamed AAM
1. gained support from Labour Party and trade unions
2. supported banned organisations such as ANC
3. Campaigned for SA exclusion from common wealth + Olympic Games
Demonstrations :
1. outside SA embassy in London
2. Outside companies conducting business in SA
British Gov. = did not support AAM
1980s = Thatchers conservative gov. opposed sanction against NP :
1. Wants to protect British investments in SA
2. British gov. imported SA minerals and commodities
3. Cold War : thatcher feared communist influence in ANC
IRISH ANTI APARTHEID MOVEMENT
• movement driven by a South African , Kader Asmal = was lecturing in Ireland
• demonstrated against the all white springbok rugby team (played in 1970) = sporting contracts
with South Africans were banned
• Dunnes stores in Dublin + others refuse to sell SA fruit (boycott sa goods) = for 2,5 years
• Boycott supported by Irish trade unions , parliamentarians , students , Catholic Churches
• 1986 = Irish gov announce boycott on Coal / food products from SA and closed tourist offices