Canada
The earliest documentation of anti-apartheid activities in Canada goes back to the early 1960s. Numerous organisations at national and provincial level have been active during the years. There was never one, national anti-apartheid movement. Anti-apartheid activities were, partly, supported by the Canadian government which forced South Africa to withdraw from the Commonwealth in 1961 and imposed strict economic sanctions against South Africa in the 1980s.
Anti-Apartheid Organisations/People
Anti-Apartheid Movement of Canada (AAMC)
The Anti-Apartheid Movement Canada operated from around 1970 and was a Toronto based organisation.
The Library and Archives Canada holds a small collection, covering the period 1970-1973 containing correspondence, publications and clippings.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca
The McMaster University also holds a small collection of documents.
Free South Africa Committee (FSAC)
The Free South Africa Committee operated in Edmonton. It was a community based organisation that supported the boycott of South Africa and was also involved in direct material support of the liberation movements in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. It was especially active in schools in Edmonton.
The Anglican Church of Canada has a small collection of their materials.
International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa (IDAFSA Canada)
The International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa Canada (IDAFSA Canada) operated from 1980 – 1990. Its main work concentrated on raising funds to support political prisoners and their families in South Africa and Namibia.
The Law Faculty at Florida State University holds a collection covering the period 1980 – 1990. It contains publications, briefing papers, newsletters and press leases.
The UWC/RIM Mayibuye Archives holds some IDAFSA documents under ‘Joan Fairweather’.
http://www.robben-island.org.za
Task Force on Churches and Corporate Responsibility (TCCR)
The Task Force on Churches and Corporate Responsibility (TCCR) was established in 1970 as a coalition of Canadian Churches. It worked towards social responsibility in Canadian based corporations and financial institutions. It supported the South African Council of Churches (SACC) proposal for a ‘code of business ethics’ for companies operating in South Africa. It campaigned strongly to end loans to the apartheid regime and approached share holders to accomplish this. It became part of KAIROS in 2001.
The United Church of Canada has some materials.
http://www.unitedchurcharchives.ca
The UWC/RIM Mayibuye Archives holds a small collection covering the period 1975-1992. It contains annual reports, publications and papers regarding Canadian companies and banks and the Canadian anti-apartheid campaign.
http://www.robben-island.org.za
Other Organisations/People
Anglican Church of Canada
The Anglican Church of Canada took a very active stand against apartheid. In the late 1980s, Archbishop Ted Scott served on the Commonwealth of Nations ‘Eminent Persons Group’ which advocated the implementation of sanctions against South Africa.
The organisation holds its own archives.
The UWC/RIM Mayibuye Archives holds some documents under ‘Joan Fairweather’.
http://www.robben-island.org.za
Inter-Church Coalition on Africa (ICCAF)
The main focus of the Inter-Church Coalition on Africa (ICCAF) was on human rights and social justice. It coordinated the activities of the Canadian churches against apartheid. The ICCAF has been involved in anti-apartheid activities since the 1980s. It has been replaced by KAIROS-Africa.
The complete archives are in storage and are not easily accessed.
League for Socialist Action (LSA)
The League for Socialist Action/Ligue Socialiste Ouvrière (LSA) was the biggest Trotskyist organisation active in Canada and existed from 1946 – 1979. One of its many activities was solidarity campaigns with South Africa.
The Library and Archives Canada holds the archive of the organisation.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca
Resources
Canadian Broadcast Corporation
The Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) has produced numerous programmes about apartheid and showing the activities of Canadians against apartheid. The first programme dates back to 1961 and covers the Sharpeville massacre in 1960.
CBC holds its own archives.
