African Activist Archive

This press release issued on March 1, 1982 calls for a "Southern Africa Sunday" on March 21, the 22nd anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre where South African police fired on a crowd of unarmed protesters, killing 69 people. The press release points out that opponents of apartheid are still under fire, particularly black trade unions and the South African Council of Churches. In late 1981, four pastors were detained and tortured, and Lutheran layman Tshifhiwa Muofhe was detained and died soon after. When General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches Desmond Tutu tried to visit the detained clergy, he was expelled from the area. The press release reports that on February 5, Dr. Neil Aggett, a white official of the predominately black Food and Canning Workers Union who was detained under the Terrorism Act, was found hanged in his cell. The press release says material support is needed for refugees who have fled from South Africa and Namibia. The press release says letters of support can be sent to Bishop Desmond Tutu at the South African Council of Churches and to the African Food and Canning Workers Union. Letters calling for the release of all political prisoners can be sent to Ambassador Donald B. Sole and Prime Minister P.W. Botha, and letters calling for an end to U.S. support of apartheid can be sent to Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Chester Crocker at the Department of State. For additional information, contact Gail Hovey of the American Committee on Africa and Adeyemi Bandele of the Black United Front.

African Activist Archive

Southern Africa Sunday - March 21st 1982

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