Must-read book tells an inspiring tale of struggle

About 40 people squeezed into the travel section of a book store in Greenwich as George Bridges, Tom and Ron Bell, Bob Newland and John Rose spoke about their involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle in the ’70s and ’80s.

Another eight people who had also participated as "London Recruits" were there and also spoke on their role in the fight against apartheid.

These men and women were recruited through the initiative of the African National Congress (ANC) in London and especially their representative Ronnie Kasrils, who approached leaders of the Communist Party, the Young Communist League and other socialists to spread the message of the ANC and the South African Communist Party in South Africa itself.

As a result the "London Recruits" took leaflets, pamphlets and books to distribute in apartheid South Africa, and set up tape recorded messages from the liberation organisations to be broadcast through home-made equipment.

All the participants were very modest about their contributions to the struggle against the racist regime but they were recently received as heroes in South Africa by the people there, who acknowledged their role in spreading ANC messages from the heart of apartheid while so many of the leaders were imprisoned or in exile.

These people made an outstanding contribution to international solidarity and the book London Recruits is a must-read.

I was proud to have attended.

David Horsley

London SW4