Germany / Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) / Bundesrepublik Deutschland (BRD)
[NB: the FRG / BRD is also made up of what was the German Democratic Republic (GDR / DDR), or East Germany, which gave a great deal of (state) material and political support to the liberation movements].
Anti-apartheid activities in the BRD were, at first, hindered by the cold war and its German colonial ties with Namibia. The first anti-apartheid activities, inspired by church members who were expelled from South Africa and Namibia due to their opposition to apartheid, date back to 1972. The AAB was the main, national organising group for anti-apartheid activities (though there were local entities as well).
Anti-Apartheid Organisations/People
Anti-Apartheid Movement Germany / Anti-Apartheid Bewegung (AAB)
The Anti-Apartheid Movement Germany (AAB) operated from 1974 till 1994. It was formed on the initiative of the Mainz Working Group on Southern Africa (MAKSA). It was very active in the campaigns against the arms trade with South Africa, the release of Nelson Mandela, as well as the fruit, sport, Royal Dutch Shell and cultural boycott. It consisted of a network of local groups and worked with a variety of peace and religious organisations. In the late 1970s/early 1980s it used shareholders meetings (by buying shares) to pressurise banks not to deal with South Africa and pressured the Federal government to take an active anti-apartheid position. The AAB also participated in the Liaison Group. It changed its name in 1994 and continues to operate as Das Afrika Sud Aktionsbundnis.
The Archive for Alternative Literature holds the complete archive of the AAB.
The UWC/RIM Mayibuye Archives holds a small collection of papers and publications covering the period 1975-1993.
http://www.robben-island.org.za
Evangelical Women’s Group Germany / Evangelische Frauenarbeit Deutschland (EFD)-Frauen gegen Apartheid
This women’s group of the Protestant churches started its activities in 1977 with a boycott of South African fruit and established Frauen gegen Apartheid. It operated till 1993. It also campaigned against the Kruger Rand and bank loans. For 15 years, they organised a vigil every Thursday in front of the South African Consulate.
The Archive for Alternative Literature holds some of their archival materials within the AAM collection.
German Municipalities against Apartheid / Deutsche Städte gegen Apartheid
This movement of local municipalities against apartheid organised solidarity campaigns, did information work and worked towards a boycott of South Africa in their own cities.
The UWC/RIM Mayibuye Archives holds some materials relating to the activities of several cities. It covers the period 1990 and contains papers and publications.
http://www.robben-island.org.za
South Africa Initiative Aachen / Aachner Südafrika Initiative (ASI)
This local organisation started its activities in the 1980s. It participated in campaigns organised by the national organisations. It continues to operate and support project in South Africa.
The archives are held by the organisation.
Women against Apartheid- Frankfurt / Frauen gegen Apartheid Frankfurt
This was a local organisation of women in Frankfurt and they formed part of the national organisation. They were active in the fruit boycott and banks campaigns and worked in schools.
The UWC/RIM Mayibuye Archives holds a collection covering the period 1982-1993. It contains press cuttings, campaign materials, correspondence and other documents.
http://www.robben-island.org.za
Other Organisations/People
Anti-imperialist Solidarity Committee -Frankfurt am Main / Antiimperialistiesche Solidaritätskomitee
The ASK operated from 1973 till 1990. It was a platform against racism and neo-colonialism and its members were individuals as well as organisations. Some of the organisations were the German Student Union, the Socialist Germen Work Youth, the German Communist Party and Spartakus. It was active in information campaigns and gave practical financial support to the liberation movements. It was a member of the Afro-Asian People’s Solidarity Organisation (AAPSO).
The International Institute for Social History holds a substantial collection covering the period 1973-1990. It contains papers from AAPSO in Cairo, press releases, reports, correspondence, publications and campaign materials.
