DL/A-Z//BRITISH D - [Correspondence with the British Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa]

DL/A-Z//BRITISH D

File

[Correspondence with the British Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa]

11/09/1989-26/09/1990

2 Letters (typescript)
2 Memorandum

African National Congress

Madikizela-Mandela, Winnie

British Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa

001 is the minutes of the 23rd annual general meeting of the British Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa (BDAF) held on 11/09/1989.

002 is a letter from Doris Lessing to Ethel de Keyser of the BDAF, stating that she can no longer support the organisation. She states: "Winnie Mandela is the last straw." She alludes to "crimes and cruelties" committed "by one's own side", and states that she does not have much faith in the African National Congress (ANC): "the A.N.C. have seen themselves as the only organisation worth anything." She asks for her name to be removed from BDAF stationery.

003 is a letter from de Keyser to Lessing: "Your letter came as a shock." She states that the situation in South Africa is depressing but distances the BDAF from the ANC. She explains complex situations that may soon result in the BDAF's dissolution. She asks Lessing to reconsider, but states that if any more BDAF stationery is printed, her name will be removed.

004 is the minutes of the 24rd annual general meeting of the BDAF held on 26/09/1990. Lessing's name remains on the list of sponsors.