African Activist Archive

The fundraising letter for the American Committee on Africa (ACOA) notes that those engaged in the struggle to achieve independence and equality in Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, as well as independent neighboring states, look to ACOA for indispensable support. It also comments on a struggle of a different sort in the United States regarding whether the U.S. will work to speed up or to hinder liberation in southern Africa. U.S. policymakers are trying to set a course that appears to show increasing concern about black rights but which in fact continues to give priority to short-term economic interests, given the area's mineral wealth, its strategic location, and particularly the extent of U.S. business involvement there. ACOA rejects the idea that business interests will lead the way to basic change in South Africa. The letter says ACOA's upcoming focus will be mainly on ending the still-growing American economic involvement and on pushing for a U.S. policy that supports African liberation. ACOA also will continue its assistance to representatives of African organizations and its research, publishing, and informational work. The mailing mentions the campaign against U.S. bank loans to South Africa, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Export-Import Bank loan guarantees involving US-South African trade, the Krugerrand, US corporations, US-South African nuclear cooperation and sports and cultural ties, apartheid, community and church groups, students, the Africa Defense and Aid Fund, The Africa Fund, Stephen Biko, death, detention, testimony before Congress and the UN, speaking engagements, ACOA staff, action memos, press releases, literature, the 1978 budget, and 1977 expenditure.

African Activist Archive

[Dear friend of ACOA: At the time ACOA was founded 25 years ago, there were four independent countries in Africa]

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