African Activist Archive

This issue focuses on a general strike by African workers in Namibia which began December 13, 1971. It has included workers in the mines, railways, building industry, municipal services, commercial and industrial enterprises, and farms throughout the territory. 12,500 Ovambo contract laborers have quit work and are returning to Ovamboland. 350 strikers are from the Consolidated Diamond Mine at Oranjemund, the territory's most lucrative industry and long considered to offer the best wages and working conditions for blacks. On 21 June 1971, the International Court of Justice handed down an advisory opinion affirming that the Republic of South Africa's presence in Namibia is illegal. On 30 June, 1971 two black Lutheran leaders, Bishop Leonard Auala and Moderator Paulus Gowaseb, on behalf of their almost 300,000 adherents, issued an Open Letter to the South African Prime Minister Balthazar Vorster. Contents: The Strike of Ovambo Workers in South West Africa and the Churches • The General Strike in Namibia: A Call to Americans and the Churches

African Activist Archive

ECSA Bulletin

STRIKE

Creator

Contributor

Place Created

Date

Type of Item

Length/duration

Description

Organization

Coverage Africa

Language

Digital Format

Rights Management

Collection