Photos

A big crowd in Trafalgar Square heard Walter Sisulu demand immediate agreement on an election date on 20 June 1993. The rally was the climax of the AAM’s campaign to win support in Britain for one person one vote elections and a unitary constitution for South Africa. Also on the platform were Bill Morris, General Secretary of the British transport workers union, Lorna Fitzsimmons, President of the National Union of Students and MPs Michael Meacher and Simon Hughes. In a dramatic breakthrough two weeks later, on 2 July, it was agreed that an election would be held on 27 April 1994.

ANC representative Mendi Msimang with Labour MP John Prescott at the trade union congress in September 1993. The TUC gave its full backing to the ANC’s Votes for Freedom campaign and asked British unions to donate to the ANC’s election fund. It also asked affiliated unions to support their sister unions in South Africa.

Bill Morris, General Secretary of the British transport workers union TGWU, presented a cheque for £20,000 to the ANC’s UK representative Mendi Msimang at the trade union congress in September 1993. The donation was for the ANC’s election fund, which had a £1 million target in Britain. The shopworkers union USDAW, the Fire Brigades Union, civil servants union CPSA, Manufacturing Science and Finance (MSF) and the general workers union GMB all made big donations.

In October 1993 Nelson Mandela visited Glasgow, the first British local council to present him with the freedom of the city, in 1981. AAM President Trevor Huddleston presented him with a special scroll commemorating the award of the freedom of nine British local authorities.

Nelson Mandela spoke to a big crowd who came to welcome him in spite of heavy rain in Glasgow’s George Square on 9 October 1993. Later he delighted the crowd by dancing with singer Mara Louw in front of Glasgow City Chambers.

Nelson Mandela danced with singer Mara Louw in Glasgow’s George Square on 9 October 1993. Earlier, AAM President Trevor Huddleston presented him with a special scroll commemorating the award of the freedom of nine British local authorities. In 1981 Glasgow was the first local authority to present Mandela with the freedom of the city. Also in the photograph is the Chair of the Scottish AA Committee, Brian Filling.

Baroness Barbara Castle and Labour MPs Joan Lestor and Glenda Jackson were among anti-apartheid campaigners who released balloons in Trafalgar Square on 27 April 1994, the day of South Africa’s first ever democratic election. On 10 May, when Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as President of South Africa, ANC and AAM members entered South Africa House for the first time, when they attended a reception to celebrate the inauguration.