Fourth International urges call on workers organisations to send fact-finding and solidarity delegations to South Africa.
In the workplaces we call on the trade unions to participate in the solidarity structures. At the same time we aim to get them to take on specific solidarity tasks in relation to the independent South African trade unions (particularly those that correspond to their industrial sector through appropriate trade-union aid, the popularisation of their struggles and press, and possibly "twinning".
INTERNATIONAL solidarity with the struggle against the apartheid regime in South Africa is growing in many countries in the world
Within the trade union movement, on the campuses and in political parties there is a growing pressure for sanctions against the South
African regime and growing links being made with the independent
Black unions in South Africa.
of the United Secretariat of the Fourth
At the October meeting
International an appeal was issued for the stepping up of this action by all sections of the International. We reprint the appeal below and give some examples of the type of activity that has been taking place.
The mounting revolutionary mass mobilisations of the people of South
Africa against the apartheid regime demand the broadest possible support and active solidarity throughout the world. The FI calls on all its sections to place a high priority on this work, helping to organise the most powerful united action against the brutal represof the racist South
African sion for the freedom of government,
Nelson Mandela and all political and trade-union prisoners, and against the complicity of the imperialist governments with the apartheid regime.
The call to break all ties with the
South African government, divestment campaigns aimed at companies doing business in South Africa, opposition to sales of the Krugerand, boycott with South of all sporting events and the forging of teams,
African direct links with, and concrete support for, the struggling civic associations, unions, student independent trade battle being waged by their sisters and brothers of South Africa to bring down the hated apartheid regime.
The South African mass movement is internally strongly differentiated on the political, trade-union or association front. The press of the International and its sections should take this differentiation into account.
Solidarity work should be undertaken in an identical fashion for all the components of the mass movement, without sectarianism or exclusion. the solidarity campaigns or committees that our sections participate in we oppose all sectarian practices that consist of only really supporting one section of the organisations representative of a section of the oppressed and fighting against apartheid. US solidarity with South Africa (DR)
International Viewpoint on South Africa International Viewpoint has already published several articles on South Africa in the following issues: 'Independent Black unions in South Africa' by Nathan Palmer and Peter Blumer IV No 8, June 6, 1982. *Land and the national question in the South African revolution' Document of the Fourth International /V No 25, March 7, 1983. Mass response to the new racist constitution' by Nathan Palmer IV No 46, 13 February 1984 'Another step toward "Pax Americana" " by Claude Gabriel IV No 54, June 4, 1984. Mass struggles come together to produce explosive situation' by Nathan Palmer. IV No 60, October 1, 1984. 'New upsurge sharpens debate over strategy by Peter Blumer, Tony Roux IV No 65, December 12, 1984. "The people's anger' by Ndabeni IV No 74 April 22, 1985. SPECIAL DOSSIER ON SOUTH AFRICA IV No 80 15 July, 1985. *The implications of French sanctions' by Nathan Palmer. No 82, September 16, 1985.
organisations, churches and other organisations
- these are the kind of solidarity actions that have already been taken. They must be broadened deepened and intensified, especially
End US support within the organised workers move-
For South African Apartheid ment in all countries.
international
The goal of this campaign is the progressive isolation of the South African regime on all levels, and the growing active involvement of working people the world throw their weight they over behind the courageous and determined
International Viewpoint 14 October 1985
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DOCUMENT massive solidarity campaign
International solidarity IN SWEDEN ... there has been a big expansion of the solidarity movement with South Africa in recent years. The Isolate South Africa Committee, ISAK, has increasingly become the legitimate representative of the solidarity movement.
In March this year there was a demonstration of some people in Stockholm against apartheid and against racism in Sweden. There has also been a successful campaign in all Swedish schools, collecting for the 'A day's work for South Africa' fund drive.
Within and outside the solidarity movement the question of a boycott has been a much debated theme in the last
Swedish legislation regulating trade with, and affecting the Swedish investments in South Africa. Imports of fruit have, however, been banned.
An important step towards such a process was made at the September 26 demonstration called by various different organisations including SOS-Racisme, the ANC, SWAPO, the Anti Apartheid Movement and one of the major student unions - UNEF-ID (Union National des Etudiants de France - Independente et Democratique). Between 3,000 -5,000 attended the demonstration - possibly the biggest on this issue yet seen in the capital. On the same day, workers at Orly airport attempted to stop all flights to Johannesburg. They succeeded in holding up the flights, in this, the very beginnings of trade union action against the South African regime.
The Anti-apartheid Movement Is holding a forum at th end of the month with international speakers to discus how to take the campaign forward.
It the beginning of this year a big cooperative chain of IN BRITAIN... the main focus for action against aparthdistributers and retailers decided not to sell any South African goods. This was seen as a big step forward after years of campaigning with the local Coop branches. In the Metalworkers union a very important debate has been taking place on the issue of the withdrawal of Swedish companies from South Africa and the selling of shares in companies with South African investments. A group called Metalworkers Against Apartheid was set up and a resolution went forward to the national congress of the union in September. The motion was not carried but the debate was very important in putting pressure on the union leadership to take some action on the issue.
In the coming months, ISAK has several activities planned. These include a big demonstration against apartheid on October 11, a "Peoples Parliament Against Apartheid' next February and a continuation of the campaign against companies with investments in South Africa. Students, for instance, are now organising a boycott against one of the bigger text book publishing companies, Esselte. IN THE USA ... many groups have endorsed the call for an of opposition to the apartheid regime on October 11 - the National Anti-Apartheid Protest Day anc Day for South African Political Prisoners. Protests are planned in Albany, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Tucson, Washington and other cities as well as over 100 colleges and universities. Plans include marches, rallies and picket lines along with other educational activities such as teach-ins on apartheid and Washington's role in South Africa. These actions are being organised by, in some cases, newly formed ad-hoc coalitions and in others by already established anti-apartheid organisations.
August, there were large actions in New York and that congress pass legislation imposing sanctions against the South African govern-