Mandela’s Struggle in Posters

1967
In November 1962, the General Assembly called upon members of the United Nations to impose economic sanctions on South Africa because of its policy of racial segregation.


1968
Although the United States had condemned the apartheid in the 1960s, it would take nearly two decades for the American government to impose strict sanctions.

1970
This poster was from a campaign by the British Anti-Apartheid Movement. The organization forced the cancellation of a 1970 tour of Britain by the all-white South African cricket team.


Sam Nzima
1977
The illustration is an homage to Hector Petersen, a student killed during the uprising in the Soweto township of Johannesburg (photo). In June 1976, students rose up against the government’s decision to enforce education in Afrikaans. More than 570 people were killed in the months of violence that followed. The uprising was a turning point for the resistance.

1979
This poster, titled “Total Economic and Military Boycott of South Africa,” was designed for the Dutch Anti-Apartheid Movement. It shows several Dutch companies that were then doing business with South Africa and was part of a campaign calling for a boycott.

1980
In March 1980, South Africa’s Sunday Post newspaper published a petition for the release of Nelson Mandela. The British Anti-Apartheid Movement produced a campaign in support, which was endorsed by trade unions, artists, academics and many members of the British Parliament.

1980
This poster was created for a rally commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, a statement by the South African Congress Alliance, an association of groups opposed to apartheid. The charter called for equal rights for all races in South Africa.

1981
This poster was part of a campaign for a bill requiring Massachusetts pension funds to sell stocks and bonds in companies doing business in South Africa. The bill passed in 1982. Several other American states and cities passed similar legislation.

1981
During the 1970s and 1980s, many North American groups campaigned in support of national liberation movements in Africa. This poster was created for the Liberation Support Movement, which was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, and had branches in California and New York.

1982
In the early 1980s, local groups worked to explain apartheid to the American public. This poster was created for a two-part forum on South Africa and apartheid, held at a high school in Grand Rapids, Mich.

1984
In the mid-1980s, a campaign to impose economic sanctions on South Africa gained support among American politicians and artists, like the actor Danny Glover, who is featured in this poster.

1988
A concert by the British Anti-Apartheid Movement brought 72,000 people to London’s Wembley Stadium in June 1988, as part of the “Nelson Mandela: Freedom at 70” campaign. Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston and Sting were among the performers. The concert was broadcast to 60 countries.

1990
This poster celebrated Mr. Mandela’s release from prison in February 1990 and called for the release of other South African political prisoners. Mr. Mandela visited Britain in April and spoke at a concert at Wembley Stadium.

1990
In June 1990, Mr. Mandela embarked on an eight-city American tour. A crowd of 58,000 people attended his appearance in Oakland, Calif.

1994
This button is from the 1994 South African presidential campaign, the first democratic non-apartheid elections in the country.