Who we are
Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) is a UK-based charity who works alongside Southern African civil society and activists, advancing human rights, aiming to replace the legacies of colonialism, racism and apartheid with justice and peace.
We work by campaigning with people in Southern Africa and with people across the UK to influence change and support human rights. Sharing information and promoting learning about why the legacies of apartheid and colonialism still affect all of us today, and how everyone can be involved in making changes which advance human rights. Connecting like-minded people through the arts, heritage and culture, fair trade, and ethical business.
Our History
ACTSA was established in 1994 as the successor organisation to the Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM).
This followed South Africa’s first democratic election, when Nelson Mandela became the first democratically elected President of South Africa. By 1994 the goals of the AAM had been achieved and it had grown from a small organisation to become the largest international solidarity organisation the UK has ever seen. The AAM consulted widely on whether it should simply disband. The clear response from members, affiliates and especially key partners and contacts in Southern Africa was no.
While a great victory had been won there were major challenges ahead and the region called for renewed not diminished solidarity. The context had changed, and the challenge now was not being against a political system which was racist but for supporting Southern Africa build a region based on rights and reducing poverty and inequality.
