ACTSA Scotland (Action for Southern Africa – successor organisation to the Anti-Apartheid Movement) works in Scotland on issues relating to Southern Africa – the SADC countries.
Equal attention to all 14 countries is beyond our capacity so we have a particular interest in a twinning link with Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. We disseminate information about Southern Africa and encourage links between organisations, trade unions, schools, local authorities and others in Scotland and Southern Africa. As part of this linking, the collection and sorting of books to send to school and other libraries is an important regular activity. Nine container-loads have now been sent between 1995 and Mandela Day 2012. The tenth load, to bring the total sent to half a million books, is in active preparation. Since April 2002 the book appeal in Scotland has been run jointly with Community HEART.
Occasional sponsored walks on South Africa’s Wild Coast strengthen links with Eastern Cape and the inspirational people there working to build the new South Africa. ACTSA Scotland also campaigns on issues relating to Southern Africa, which have included trade negotiations, asbestos, silicosis, debt, HIV/Aids, climate change and support for trade unions and other civil society bodies in Swaziland and Zimbabwe. Stalls at events across Scotland serve both to spread information about ACTSA and about the region and also (on a very small scale) to sell crafts from community projects in Southern Africa.
We are the lead body in the planning and organisation of Nelson Mandela International Day (18th July) in Scotland each year.
ACTSA Scotland has knowledge and expertise in Southern Africa and experience of both campaigning and linking. We are keen to develop more linking between schools and local authorities in particular.
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Areas of interest
- Partnerships for the Goals
- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Operational areas
- Eswatini
- South Africa
- United Kingdom