Letter to Mendi Msimang, ANC

About this item

This letter, dated 12 May 1992, was sent to Mendi Msimang, Chief Representative of the ANC, from the Organisation of Africans in Europe, represented by Bernie Grant. It discusses plans to launch the organisation and organise a major rally in Britain focused on issues affecting the Global South within the framework of a 'New World Order.' The letter requests the participation of ANC President Nelson Mandela as a keynote speaker to support the event's aims.

Key points:
– The letter is dated 12 May 1992 and addressed to Mendi Msimang of the ANC.
– Bernie Grant represents the Organisation of Africans in Europe, a group aiming to unite Black citizens in Europe and advocate for Africa.
– The organisation planned a major rally in Britain themed 'The Third World & the New World Order' to highlight struggles in Libya, Cuba, North Korea, Palestine, and the African diaspora.
– The letter requests Nelson Mandela's participation as a keynote speaker at the rally to enhance its impact and visibility.
– There is concern expressed about economic exploitation of Southern countries by Northern countries within the 'New World Order.'

This document reflects Bernie Grant's active engagement in internationalism and Pan-African solidarity during the early 1990s. It illustrates how Grant sought to connect Black British political activism with global struggles against economic injustice, colonial legacies, and apartheid, underscoring the links between local and international anti-racist campaigns. The letter also highlights the importance of Nelson Mandela and the ANC in galvanising support for African liberation movements within the UK.

Source note: The OCR transcript contains some alignment and typographical inconsistencies common with scanned documents, such as misspelled names and fragmented sentences, but the content has been carefully interpreted to maintain accuracy.