Sweden / Konungariket Sverige
The first anti-apartheid activities in Sweden started in the early 1950s with a fundraising campaign to support victims of apartheid, organised mainly by students. It was the beginning of a very strong anti-apartheid movement in the country. The Swedish government began supporting the ANC directly in 1973.
Anti-Apartheid Organisations/People
Africa Groups of Sweden (AGS) / Afrikagrupperna
The AGS was formed in 1974 by several local Africa groups, some of them already active in the early 1960s. It gave unconditional support to the liberation struggle. It began its work by supporting the struggles in the Portuguese colonies and continued to work on Southern Africa lobbying the Swedish government to institute sanctions. It initiated the establishment of ISAK. It ended its activities in 1992 and was re-constituted as the Network Southern Africa / Nätverk Södra Afrika.
The Archive and Library of the Swedish Labour Movement holds the entire archive of the organisation covering the period 1974-1992
A substantial photo collection, covering the period 1970-2003 is held by the organisation itself.
http://www.afrikagrupperna.se/
Africa Groups Recruitment Organisation / Afrikagruppernas Rekryteringsorganisation (ARO)
The ARO was initiated by the AGS 1978, initially to recruit health care workers, teachers and administrators to work in the former Portuguese colonies. It expanded its work to ANC camps and schools and was active in these areas until1992.
The Archive and Library of the Swedish Labour Movement holds the entire archive covering the period 1978-1992.
Committee for the Release of Nelson Mandela / Kommittén för Nelson Mandelas frigivning
This committee existed in 1990 and was an association of several Swedish organisations with the objective to organise the reception, in Sweden, of Nelson Mandela after his release.
The Archive and Library of the Swedish Labour Movement holds the entire archive of the organisation.
Consultation Committee for Southern Africa / Samrådskommittén för Södra Afrika (SSA)
The SSA was formed in 1973 based on the so-called Oslo and ILO declarations. It was a broad umbrella organisation and organised one campaign week in 1993 and probably dissolved in 1994.
The Archive and Library of the Swedish Labour Movement holds a small collection covering the period 1973-1974.
Isolate South Africa Committee / Isolera Sydafkrika-Kommittén (ISAK)
ISAK started in 1979 to organise an annual campaign to isolate South Africa and to support the liberation movements and political prisoners. It was a collaboration of several Christian and political youth organisations with the AGS. It became an influential lobby group and worked together with other Nordic countries. Its campaign work expanded from the annual campaign to year-long activities. It ceased to function in 1995.
The Archive and Library of the Swedish Labour Movement holds the entire archive of the organisation covering the period 1979-1995.
Support Group for the People of South Africa / Stödgruppen för Sydafrikas Folk (SSF)
The SSF started in 1974 and worked closely together with the AGS and the Stockholm Africa Group. At that time the AGS was mainly involved with the former Portuguese colonies. It became a working group at the ANC office in Stockholm in 1979 and ceased to be an independent organisation.
The Archive and Library of the Swedish Labour Movement holds materials covering the period 1974-1979.
Swedish South Africa Committee / Svenska Sydafrikakommittén (SSAK)
The SSAC was formed in 1961 as an umbrella organisation of NGOs to start campaigning for a consumer boycott of South African products. It pressured the Swedish government to apply sanctions and later supported the ANC’s armed struggle. Its activities decreased in the 1970s and other organisations stepped in.
The Archive and Library of the Swedish Labour Movement holds materials covering the period 1960 - 1976.
Uppsala Africa Group (UAG)
The UAG grew out of the Uppsala South Africa Committee (USAK) which started in 1963 by the Uppsala Student Union. It reorganised itself in 1968 and became UAG which operated till 1994. It developed into a general membership organisations which also supported the armed struggle.
The Uppsala People’s Movement Archive holds the entire archive of the organisation.
Other Organisations/People
Bread and Fishes / Brödet och Fiskarna (BF)
Bread and Fishes was established in 1972 as a Christian organisation, mainly engaged in social work. The main issue was international solidarity and it worked at a very practical level, selling second-hand goods to raise funds. It started to support the ANC in 1974 and, besides shipping goods and medical supplies to ANC camps and also gave direct financial support. It worked with the AGS.
The Archive and Library of the Swedish Labour Movement holds the entire archive of the organisation from 1972 onwards.
Church of Sweden Aid-Swedish National Committee of the Lutheran World Federation / Lutherhjälpen
This Committee was formed in 1947 to organise relief work in Europe after World War II. It started to include Southern Africa in its operations from around 1960. It is one of the biggest fund raising agencies for relief work and development aid. It supported the liberation movements and the SACC directly and lobbied for disinvestments.
The Church of Sweden Central Office holds the archives of the organisation.
Resources
Labour Movement Archive and Library (ARAB)
The Labour Movement Archive and Library holds substantial collections of the Swedish labour movement from around the 1950s. It holds records from political parties and other organisations as well. It concentrates on archives of the central and Stockholm based local organisations. It holds a big Africa collection.
The Labour Movement Archive and Library holds substantial collections of the Swedish labour movement from around the 1950s. It holds records from political parties and other organisations as well. It concentrates on archives of the central and Stockholm based local organisations. It holds a big Africa collection.
The Nordic Documentation on the Liberation Struggle in Southern Africa Project
This site provides archival lists of primary source materials that can be found at Nordic archival institutions, NGOs and archives of individuals who have been involved in the liberation struggles of Southern Africa. The website includes interviews, photographs, publications, posters and newspaper cuttings from 1960-1996. It also provides some archival materials in PDF format.
This site provides archival lists of primary source materials that can be found at Nordic archival institutions, NGOs and archives of individuals who have been involved in the liberation struggles of Southern Africa. The website includes interviews, photographs, publications, posters and newspaper cuttings from 1960-1996. It also provides some archival materials in PDF format.
http://www.liberationafrica.se
