This public movement against apartheid is a precious heritage of the world,. It was a struggle in which ordinary people, the grassroots, were able to counteract powerful interests and to force governments to change their policies – even to defeat governments which were unresponsive. A study of this movement is important for an understanding of the dynamics and power of nonviolent public action at local, national and international levels. The anti-apartheid or solidarity movement was composed of thousands of groups in many countries and communities, many of them in opposition to the policies of their governments. They were not centrally directed. Each group was independent and acted in the light of conditions in its own country or constituency. There was no coordination – except that at various conferences (for instance, those organized by the United Nations), groups from different countries were able to meet each other, exchange views, and possibly plan international campaigns.
