Ruth Mompati: Irish Step Up Fight Against Apartheid
(Statement by Ruth Mompati on behalf of the African National Congress of South Africa at the Annual General Meeting of the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement, 2 May 1981)
“It is with great pleasure that I bring to this meeting the greetings of the ANC of South Africa. This is my first visit to Ireland, but your country is familiar to me, as it is to my organisation and its militants, because of the great anti-colonial tradition of the Irish people, who themselves fought against centuries of oppression and exploitation by British colonialism, for democracy and freedom.
“Ireland’s revolutionary heroes, men like James Larkin and James Connolly, to name only two, have a special place in our minds as great inspirers of the world-wide struggle of people for peace, progress and democracy. The Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement is known to me and my organisation as an ally of the struggling people of our country – and it is as comrades and allies that the African National Congress greets you today.
“Comrade chairman and friends, you are no doubt aware that the Botha-Malan clique have secured another victory for Apartheid in the all-white election held a couple of days ago. Let me say at the outset that the election has got nothing to do with the solution of the burning problems facing the black majority. It has everything to do with maintaining and perpetuating the racist-exploitative system in South Africa, securing the
