Action for Southern Africa

Who we are

Southern Africa continues to face many challenges. Overcoming the legacies of apartheid and colonialism are perhaps the most difficult of these challenges. At the same time, the region has an active and politically sophisticated civil society that is striving to pull free from these legacies. 

ACTSA was founded in 1994 as the successor organisation to the Anti-Apartheid Movement. We are distinctive, dynamic and make a real difference. We inform, educate and campaign to eradicate the conditions which lead to poverty, inequality, and lack of access to rights in the region,  We are small but have a significant impact because we target our work and resources carefully, and because we have a reputation for being a trusted partner in the region. The focus of our work is amplifying local voices and communities who campaign for improving rights, for instance in Eswatini (Swaziland) and Zimbabwe we have a particular emphasis on improving women’s rights.  We also support local groups working to end all kinds of discrimination and draw attention to human rights for all.  While the region remains the most affected in the world by the AIDS pandemic, the impact of climate change and historic debt also seriously affect levels of poverty and access to justice. We carry out our work in partnership and solidarity with the people of southern Africa.