Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) has appointed Chi Onwurah MP as its Honorary President.
Chi Onwurah is Labour MP for Newcastle Central and West and Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee.
Chi worked as a Chartered Engineer for two decades building out the networks which now form the internet, including Nigeria’s first mobile phone network. Prior to entering Parliament, Chi was Head of Telecoms Technology at Ofcom, with a focus on broadband provision.
For decades, Chi Onwurah has been a leader in working for a fairer world and challenging racism and sexism. She was active in the Anti-Apartheid Movement, spending years on its national executive and then serving as ACTSA’s Vice Chair alongside Peter Hain. She has also been involved in feminist campaigns such as Let Toys Be Toys.
Chi was recently made a Dame in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 for Political and Public Service.
Chi Onwurah said: “I am delighted to step into the role of Honorary President of ACTSA – an organisation which came out of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement 30 years ago. ACTSA’s work in international solidarity with the Southern African region continues to be vital – with global inequality rising and the region facing a storm of challenges, many of which are rooted in colonialism and the legacies of apartheid.”
Chair of ACTSA’s board of trustees Chitra Karve said: “We are honoured that Chi has accepted the role of Honorary President, bringing decades of experiences in leadership, international solidarity and a vision for a fairer world. ACTSA’s focus on women and girls actively seeks to replace the legacies of colonialism, racism and apartheid with equality for women, and social justice and peace for all.”
2025 marks ACTSA’s 30th anniversary, marking three decades since it emerged out of the British Anti Apartheid Movement in response to leaders from the region calling on the movement to continue the work of solidarity from the UK to Southern Africa to combat apartheid and colonialism in favour of a more just and equal society.
Former ACTSA Honorary President and anti-apartheid leader Lord Bob Hughes died in 2022.
You can find out more about Chi Onwurah here.
ENDS
Information about ACTSA’s current campaigns can be found here:
- Justice for Kabwe women and children (Zambia)
- Human Rights in Swaziland (Estwatini)
- Clampdown on freedoms in Zimbabwe
- Withholding child visas from mothers from Zimbabwe working in the UK Health and Social Care Sector
For more information: Julia Lagoutte, [email protected] tel: 07521026605