ACTIVISM IN THE 80s - INTERVIEWS
The following interviews were carried out by students from the University of East London and City University as part of our National Lottery Heritage Fund project Activism in the 80s that charts the political struggles and cultural clashes that shaped the 1980s in the British Isles and beyond.
Life under Apartheid
Monica Clarke interviewed by Khadijat Opemipo Akande
Chitra Karve interviewed by Tara Anson-Walsh
Zita Holbourne interviewed by Orla Noonan
Timecodes:
00:00 - Early colonialist beginnings
02:32 - The boycott campaign
03:59 - Apartheid becomes law
05:16 - Understanding the consequences
06:06 - Segregation and white privilege
12:26 - The impact on women
16:04 - Segregation in the workplace
16:56 - Sharing first-hand experiences
Forms of Protest
Monica Clarke interviewed by Khadijat Opemipo Akande
Timecodes:
00:00 - Becoming aware of apartheid
02:09 - Steve Biko and a growing conscience
02:58 - Working as community activist in the ANC
04:44 - Heading to a rally in Johannesburg
05:52 - Communicating the cancellation
06:31 - The rally relocates to a different venue
07:31 - Nelson Mandela and sneaking messages out
08:52 - Class system as the new enemy
10:36 - International pressure in the fight against apartheid
12:03 - Trade unions and studying law
12:41 - The cops come calling
End of Apartheid
David Kenvyn interviewed by Lois Ulasi
Margaret Ling interviewed by Tiffany Lai
Chitra Karve interviewed by Tara Anson-Walsh
Monica Clarke interviewed by Khadijat Opemipo Akande
Zita Holbourne interviewed by Orla Noonan
Timecodes:
00:00 - Celebrating Mandela’s release
02:28 - Elation, but more to be done
03:40 - Keeping up the pressure
06:27 - Solidarity and sustained action
08:08 - The future of the Anti-Apartheid Movement
09:00 - Solidarity, the fourth pillar of the struggle
The Anti-Apartheid Movement in the 1960s
David Kenvyn interviewed by Lois Ulasi
Anna Murray interviewed by Ayah Khan
Chitra Karve interviewed by Tara Anson-Walsh
Timecodes:
00:00 - Getting involved
04:43 - Meetings, staffing and running it
06:16 - Communication and the telephone tree
09:02 - Solidarity and comradeship
10:16 - The Springbok tour protest
11:06 - Focused and targeted action
12:46 - Being spied on and tapped phones
13:14 - Something bigger needs to change
The Anti-Apartheid Movement in the 1970s
Margaret Ling interviewed by Tiffany Lai
Timecodes:
00:00 - Getting involved
01:05 - The boycott campaign
02:05 - Strikes and trade union support
02:21 - The Pearce Commission
03:06 - Communication and admin
03:52 - Anti-Apartheid News
05:58 - Optimism and hope
The Anti-Apartheid Movement in the 1980s
Margaret Ling interviewed byTiffany Lai
David Kenvyn interviewed by Lois Ulasi
Chitra Karve interviewed by Tara Anson-Walsh
Timecodes:
00:00 - Supporting the frontline states
00:52 - Protesting President Botha’s visit
01:48 - Supporting fair trade
02:43 - Celebrating women
04:27 - Nelson Mandela and the Freedom campaign
07:39 - Not just about Mandela
Anti-Apartheid Movement Key Organisations
Margaret Ling interviewed byTiffany Lai
David Kenvyn interviewed by Lois Ulasi
Zita Holbourne interviewed by Orla Noonan
Timecodes:
00:00 - Joining AAM, learning from South African exiles
01:15 - Local and national campaigning
02:41 - Union support
04:31 - Bombing of organisations
Legacy of the Anti-Apartheid Movement
Anna Murray interviewed by Ayah Khan
Chitra Karve interviewed by Tara Anson-Walsh
Zita Holbourne interviewed by Orla Noonan
Timecodes:
00:00 - Staying the course and carrying on
00:47 - ACTSA, changing with the times
01:50 - Nothing about us without us
02:42 - ACTSA, staying relevant
03:38 - Needing equity, not just representation
05:06 - Legacy of slavery and colonialism
06:08 - Speaking out and gaining strength
08:02 - Playing our part in ending apartheid
10:36 - Solidarity, not charity
11:40 - Setting up BARACUK
12:29 - Tackling racism and discrimination
14:48 - Changing the world
Theatre in the 80s
Frances Rifkin interviewed by Rachel Flannagan
Timecodes:
00:00 - Arguing for national independent theatre
02:14 - Theatre versus fascism
04:00 - Working with Banner Theatre
05:21 - The voices and lives of the Corby Steelworkers
06:48 - Language exploration and developing the technique
07:54 - Funding, Equity and elitism
08:51 - Working at the Royal Court Theatre
09:41 - Working in the RSC
11:50 - From RSC to setting up alternative theatre
12:25 - Building momentum in the 70s
13:46 - Arguments and debates
1988 Wembley Mandela Concert
Anna Murray interviewed by Ayah Khan
Chitra Karve interviewed by Tara Anson-Walsh
David Kenvyn interviewed by Lois Ulasi
Timecodes:
00:00 - The key people involved
01:39 - Promoting the concert
02:43 - Organising the concert
03:38 - Performing at the concert
Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players.
