“Sanctions Hurt but Apartheid Kills!”: The Sanctions Campaign and Black Workers

Abstract

One of the strongest arguments against the use of economic sanctions is that often ordinary people in the target state — rather than the political elite — are most hurt. This unintended effect may be counterproductive, especially if sanctions begin to lose popular support within the target state as a result of job losses and deepening poverty. It is important to keep in mind, therefore, that in the South African case, the call for isolation was part of the overall political strategy of the internal black opposition.

As the sanctions campaign gains momentum internationally, it is important never to lose sight of the fact that the initial call for the isolation of South Africa came from inside South Africa itself.

South African Congress of Trade Unions, c. 1983²

[W]e do not conceive of sanctions as a substitute for our struggle and our sacrifices; it is additional. So we will continue, we will certainly embark on massive strike actions, we will do all the things that we can and must do for our own freedom, but sanctions are additional and sanctions alone would not bring about any results.

Oliver Tambo, President of the African National Congress, October 1985³