Interviews

More than 130 people have been interviewed concerning their participation in the liberation struggle. The focus is on their personal stories; why did they become involved, what did they do and what contacts did they make?

Many of them knew each other and several share memories and momentums, but each and every story is also a unique testimony of personal sacrifices and international friendships in the fight for freedom.

In 2008 and 2009 interviews were also conducted with former activists on Iceland. This was done in an attempt to shed light on Icelandic involvement in the liberation struggles of Southern Africa, as no centralised archives exist on Iceland providing documentation on this involvement as yet.

Interviews sorted by country

The interviewees have been listed according to the various countries their stories concern. A person can therefore be listed under Sweden, because he/she is Swedish, but also under Angola and under Mozambique for having worked in/with those countries or related liberation movements.

Roger Hällhag
Student organisations, the isolate south africa committee (isak) and social democratic organisations

Christer Johansson
Practical solidarity

Helena Nilsson Lannegren
Centre party youth league (cuf) and women's league

Dr Abisai Shejavali
Council of churches

Sverker Sörlin
Professor

Nilo Taapopi
Accounting officer of the city of Windhoek

Nkutu Moalosi (aka David Kgabang)
Anc office, stockholm, from the late 1980s

Tommy Andersson
Emmaus Stockholm Sweden

Birgitta Karlström-Dorph
Swedish legation in Pretoria, 1980s

Reddy Mampane (aka ‘Reddy Mazimba’)
Anc—chief representative to Tanzania and to Zimbabwe, National director of the African Development Corporation

Magdalena Bjerneld
Nurse. Africa groups of sweden

Aaron Mushimba
Swapo — chief representative to angola and to zambia — director of namibia project engineers

Bo Westman
Sida

Paulo Jorge
Mpla—director of information former minister of foreign affairs

Lúcio lara
Mpla—secretary for organization and cadres

Ruth Neto
Mpla president of the organization of angolan women (oma)

Miguel n´Nau puna
Unita—secretary general and political commissar of the armed forces for the liberation of angola (fala)—leader of the movement for democratic reflection (trd)

Albert Ribeiro-Kabulu
Mpla—director of the service for radio and telecommunications minister of industry and energy ambassador of angola to zimbabwe

Holden Roberto
President of fnla

Jorge Valentim
Unita—secretary for information

Sten Rylander
Swedish ambassador

Mrs Mary Iyambo
Laboratory technologist, head of the walvis bay laboratory, state hospital

Berit Rylander
Teacher, sida

Bertil Högberg
Consultant. Churches, bread and fishes, africa groups, isak

Dick Urban Vestbro
Africa groups of sweden and early isak

Dick urban vestbro
Africa groups of sweden and early isak

Georg Dreifaldt
Africa Groups of Sweden and Sida

Anita Jansson
Africa Groups Of Sweden (Agis)

Karl Gunnar (Kg) Norén
Isak

Mohammed Tikly
Coordinator Of The Somafco Collection, Batlagae Trust

Abel Muzorewa
Leader Of The African National Council And Uanc—Prime Minister Of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia Bishop Of The United Methodist Church Of Zimbabwe

Ottilie Abrahams
Swapo—Student And Swapo-Democrats In Sweden—Namibia National Front Director Of The Jakob Morenga Tutorial College

Beyers Naudé
Director Of The Christian Institute Of Southern Africa—South African Council Of Churches. Director Of The Ecumenical Advice Bureau

Abel Muzorewa
Leader Of The African National Council And Uanc—Prime Minister Of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia Bishop Of The United Methodist Church Of Zimbabwe

Roelof (‘Pik’) Botha
National Party—Minister Of Foreign Affairs Minister Of Mineral And Energy Affairs

Dr Abisai Shejavali
Council Of Churches

Mohammed Tikly
Coordinator Of The Somafco Collection, Batlagae Trust

Johan Peanberg
Swedish Municipal Worker’s Union

Dick Urban Vestbro
Africa Groups Of Sweden And Early Isak

Georg Dreifaldt
Africa Groups Of Sweden And Sida

Sverker Sörlin
Professor

Bertil Högberg
Consultant. Churches, Bread And Fishes, Africa Groups, Isak

Lennart Renöfält
Africa Groups And Isac

Steingrimur Sigfússon
Chairman Of The Left-Green Movement And Member Of Parliament

Haukur Már Haraldsson
Lecturer At The Department Of Media And Information Technology, Reykjavik Technical College.

Sigþrúður Gunnarsdóttir
Children´S Book Publisher

Birna Thórdardóttir
Former Activist, Currently Cultural Guide In Reykjavik

Kristjan Gúdlaugsson
Former Secretary General Of The Communist Party Of Iceland.

Jóhanna K. Eyjólfsdóttir
Director Of The Icelandic Section Of Amnesty International

Sunna Snaedal
Medical Doctor At The Karolinska Hospital, Sweden.

Kristinn Halldór Einarsson
Chairman Of The Icelandic Organisation For The Blind And Partly Sighted

Sigurlaug Gunnlaugsdottir
Historian, Currently Publishing Director At The Meteorological Office

Ragnhildur Helgadóttir
Law Professor At Reykjavik University.

Gestur Svavarsson
Bank It Technician

Ottó Másson
Postgraduate Student In Philosophy At The University Of Iceland

Lóa Bjarnardottír
Former Activist And A Professional Photographer, Currently Working At A Kindergarden In Iceland.

Gylfi Páll Hersir
Geophysicist

Sigvarður Ari Huldarsson
It Entrepreneur

Johan Brisman
Asssitant Director General

Sverker Sörlin
Professor

Roger Hällhag
Student Organisations, The Isolate South Africa Committee (Isak) And Social Democratic Organisations

Tommy Andersson
Emmaus Stockholm Sweden

Bo Westman
Sida

Joaquim Chissano
Frelimo—Chief Representative To Tanzania—Secretary Of Security—Prime Minister In The Transitional Government Of Mozambique—Minister Of Foreign Affairs—President Of Mozambique

Janet Modlane
Frelimo—Director Of The Mozambique Institute Former National Director Of International Cooperation

Jorge Rebelo
Former Frelimo—Secretary Of Information

Marcelino Dos Santos
Frelimo—Secretary General Of Concp—Frelimo Secretary Of External Affairs And Vice-President Former Minister Of Development And Economic Planning, And President Of The National Assembly

Jacinto Veloso
Frelimo Former Minister Of Security, Economic Affairs And Of Cooperation

Sérgio Vieira
Former Minister Of Security And Of Agriculture

Dick Urban Vestbro
Africa Groups Of Sweden And Early Isak

Georg Dreifaldt
Africa Groups Of Sweden And Sida

Nkutu Moalosi (Aka David Kgabang)
Anc Office, Stockholm, From The Late 1980s

Bertil Högberg
Consultant. Churches, Bread And Fishes, Africa Groups, Isak

Dr Elizabeth Amukugo
Member Of The Executive Board Of The Forum Of African Parliamentarians For Education (Faped)

Roelof (‘Pik’) Botha
National Party—Minister Of Foreign Affairs Minister Of Mineral And Energy Affairs

Roger Hällhag
Student Organisations, The Isolate South Africa Committee (Isak) And Social Democratic Organisations

Mrs Mary Iyambo
Laboratory Technologist, Head Of The Walvis Bay Laboratory, State Hospital

Anita Jansson
Africa Groups Of Sweden (Agis)

Christer Johansson
Practical Solidarity

Helena Nilsson Lannegren
Centre Party Youth League (Cuf) And Women's League

Johan Peanberg
Swedish Municipal Worker’s Union

Berit Rylander
Teacher, Sida

Dr Abisai Shejavali
Council Of Churches

Yngve Sunesson
Centre Party Youth League

Nilo Taapopi
Accounting Officer Of The City Of Windhoek

Helena Johansson
Isak, The Swedish Confederation For Professional Employees

Sten Rylander
Swedish Ambassador

Mwangala Indongo
Nurse

Dr Indongo
Physician To The Namibian President. Former Deputy Minister Of Health

Birgitta Karlström-Dorph
Swedish Legation In Pretoria, 1980s

Georg Dreifaldt
Africa Groups Of Sweden And Sida

Lester Wikström
Church Of Sweden

Ottilie Abrahams
Swapo—Student And Swapo-Democrats In Sweden—Namibia National Front Director Of The Jakob Morenga Tutorial College

Ben Amathila
Swapo—Chief Representative To Scandinavia, West Germany And Austria— Secretary Of Economic Affairs Minister Of Information And Broadcasting

Hadino Hishongwa
Swapo—Chief Representative To Scandinavia, West Germany And Austria Deputy Minister Of Labour And Manpower Development

Peter Katjavivi
Swapo—Chief Representative To The United Kingdom And Western Europe—Secretary Of Information And Publicityvice-Chancellor Of The University Of Namibia

Mishake Muyongo
Vice President Of The Caprivi African National Union—Vice President Of Swapo— Vice President Of The Democratic Turnhalle Alliance President Of The Dta Party

Zedika Ngavirue
Swanu—Student In Sweden And Chairman Of Swanu’s External Council Director General Of The National Planning Commission

Andreas Shipanga
Swapo—President Of Swapo-Democrats Former Minister Of Economic Affairs, Mining And Sea Fisheries In South West Africa/Namibia

Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo
Swapo—Secretary General Minister Of Mines And Energy

Ben Ulenga
Swapo—Secretary General Of The Mineworkers Union Of Namibia Deputy Minister Of Wildlife, Conservation And Tourism

Dirk Mudge
National Party—Chairman Of The Turnhalle Constitutional Conference Chairman Of The Democratic Turnhalle Alliance

Aron Mushimba
Swapo — Chief Representative To Angola And To Zambia — Director Of Namibia Project Engineers

Hifikepunye Pohamba
Swapo—Chief Representative To Tanzania—Secretary Of Finance And Administration / National Treasurer Minister Of Home Affairs

Festus Naholo
Swapo—Secretary Of Logistics Swapo Coordinator And Secretary Of Economic Affairs

Rev. Rune Forsbeck
Swedish Ecumenical Council

Charles Kauraisa
Swanu—Student In Sweden And Chairman Of Swanu’s External Council Chairman Of Rössing Uranium

Tommy Andersson
Emmaus Stockholm Sweden

Bo Westman
Sida

Solveig Wickman
Lo-Tco Secretariat For International Trade Union Development Cooperation, Sweden

Bertil Högberg
Consultant. Churches, Bread And Fishes, Africa Groups, Isak

Mohammed Tikly
Coordinator Of The Somafco Collection, Batlagae Trust

Beyers Naudé
Director Of The Christian Institute Of Southern Africa—South African Council Of Churches. Director Of The Ecumenical Advice Bureau

Abel Muzorewa
Leader Of The African National Council And Uanc—Prime Minister Of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia Bishop Of The United Methodist Church Of Zimbabwe

Gora Ebrahim
Pac—Secretary Of Foreign Affairs Member Of The National Assembly

Walter Sisulu
Anc—Secretary General. Former Anc Deputy President—Senior Adviser To The President Of South Africa

Anita Jansson
Africa Groups Of Sweden (Agis)

Denis Goldberg
Anc, Ex-Underground, Former Political Prisoner. Work For The Minister Of Water Affairs And Forestry

Madi Gray
Journalist

Margareta Gunnarsson
Isak. Welfare Worker Within The Church

Sten Rylander
Swedish Ambassador

Roger Hällhag
Student Organisations, The Isolate South Africa Committee (Isak) And Social Democratic Organisations

Sekopi Malebo
Anc, The Lutheran Church

Don Mattera
Author, Poet, Journalist And Activist In 143 Organisations

Nkutu Moalosi (Aka David Kgabang)
Anc Office, Stockholm, From The Late 1980s

Helena Nilsson Lannegren
Centre Party Youth League (Cuf) And Women's League

Karl Gunnar (Kg) Norén
Isak

Johan Peanberg
Swedish Municipal Worker’s Union

Berit Rylander
Teacher, Sida

Yngve Sunesson
Centre Party Youth League

Mohammed Tikly
Coordinator Of The Somafco Collection, Batlagae Trust

Howard Varney
Student Activist, End Conscription Campaign, Legal Resources Centre

Ann-Marie Kihlberg
Gothenburg Africa Group, Gothenburg Isak

Thabo Mbeki
Anc—Director Of Information, Secretary Of Presidential Affairs And Of International Affairs. First Executive Deputy President Of South Africa

Beyers Naudé
Director Of The Christian Institute Of Southern Africa—South African Council Of Churches. Director Of The Ecumenical Advice Bureau

Lotta Jonsson
Isak, The Left Party

Rev. Rune Forsbeck
Swedish Ecumenical Council

Kay Moonsamy
Anc—Treasury Department—Treasurer General Of The South African Congress Of Trade Unions Treasurer General Of The South African Communist Party

Billy Modise
Anc—Student And Chief Representative To Sweden High Commissioner Of South Africa To Canada

Tommy Andersson
Emmaus Stockholm Sweden

Laetitia Rispel
Human Sciences Research Council In Pretoria

Anders Stendalen
Swedish Mine Workers Union (Gruv)

Axel-Ivar Berglund
Swedish Missionary

Magnus Walan
Uppsala Africa Group And Isak

Alex Boraine
Progressive Federal Party—Director Of The Institute For A Democratic Alternative In South Africa Vice-Chairperson Of The Truth And Reconciliation Commission

Jaya Appalraju
Student In Sweden Executive Director Of Matla Trust

Georg Dreifaldt
Africa Groups Of Sweden And Sida

Tozamile Botha
Special Advisor To The Minister Of Housing, It Consultant

Gora Ebrahim
Pac—Secretary Of Foreign Affairs Member Of The National Assembly

Gerald Giose
National Liberation Front/Yu Chi Chan Club—Anc/Umkhonto We Sizwe

John Gomomo
Federation Of South African Trade Unions—Anc—South African Communist Party President Of The Congress Of South African Trade Unions

Rica Hodgson
Congress Of Democrats—Anc—International Defence And Aid Fund—Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College. Secretary To Walter Sisulu At The Anc Head Office

Lindiwe Mabuza
Anc—Chief Representative To Sweden And The Nordic Countries

Reddy Mampane (Aka ‘Reddy Mazimba’)
Anc—Chief Representative To Tanzania And To Zimbabwe National Director Of The African Development Corporation

Trevor Manuel
Western Cape Regional Secretary Of The United Democratic Front—Anc.

Monica Lindh
Falu Africa Group And Dala-Isac

Lennart Renöfält
Africa Groups And Isac

Lester Wikström
Church Of Sweden

Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele (Aka ‘Rebecca Matlou’)
Anc—Administrative Officer At The Anc Mission To Sweden And The Nordic Countries—Deputy Secretary Of International Affairs Minister Of Housing

Indres Naidoo
Anc—Umkhonto We Sizwe—South African Communist Party. Anc Senator.

Barney Pityana
President Of The South African Students Organisation—Black Consciousness Movement—Anc—Director Of The Programme To Combat Racism Of The World Council Of Churches Chairman Of The South African Human Rights Commission

Garth Strachan
Anc—Umkhonto We Sizwe—South African Communist Party—Director Of The Education, Resource And Information Project / Voter Education And Election Training Unit Responsible For Fundraising At The South African Communist Party

Craig Williamson
National Party—Military Intelligence Officer And Commander Of Foreign Operations— Deputy Director Of The International University Exchange Fund—Member Of The President's Council. Executive Outcomes

Walter Sisulu
Anc—Secretary General. Former Anc Deputy President—Senior Adviser To The President Of South Africa

Peter Katjavivi
Swapo—Chief Representative To The United Kingdom And Western Europe—Secretary Of Information And Publicityvice-Chancellor Of The University Of Namibia

Charles Kauraisa
Swanu—Student In Sweden And Chairman Of Swanu’s External Council Chairman Of Rössing Uranium

Festus Naholo
Swapo—Secretary Of Logistics Swapo Coordinator And Secretary Of Economic Affairs

Dirk Mudge
National Party—Chairman Of The Turnhalle Constitutional Conference Chairman Of The Democratic Turnhalle Alliance

Ottilie Abrahams
Swapo—Student And Swapo-Democrats In Sweden—Namibia National Front Director Of The Jakob Morenga Tutorial College

Dick Urban Vestbro
Africa Groups Of Sweden And Early Isak

Anita Jansson
Africa Groups Of Sweden (Agis)

Hifikepunye Pohamba
Swapo—Chief Representative To Tanzania—Secretary Of Finance And Administration / National Treasurer Minister Of Home Affairs

Ben Ulenga
Swapo—Secretary General Of The Mineworkers Union Of Namibia Deputy Minister Of Wildlife, Conservation And Tourism

Christer Johansson
Practical Solidarity

Helena Johansson
Isak, The Swedish Confederation For Professional Employees

Birgitta Karlström-Dorph
Swedish Legation In Pretoria, 1980s

Johan Brisman
Asssitant Director General

Bertil Högberg
Consultant. Churches, Bread And Fishes, Africa Groups, Isak

Roelof (‘Pik’) Botha
National Party—Minister Of Foreign Affairs Minister Of Mineral And Energy Affairs

Solveig Wickman
Lo-Tco Secretariat For International Trade Union Development Cooperation, Sweden

Dr Elizabeth Amukugo
Member Of The Executive Board Of The Forum Of African Parliamentarians For Education (Faped)

Denis Goldberg
Anc, Ex-Underground, Former Political Prisoner. Work For The Minister Of Water Affairs And Forestry

Madi Gray
Journalist

Margareta Gunnarsson
Isak. Welfare Worker Within The Church

Sten Rylander
Swedish Ambassador

Mrs Mary Iyambo
Laboratory Technologist, Head Of The Walvis Bay Laboratory, State Hospital

Christer Johansson
Practical Solidarity

Sekopi Malebo
Anc, The Lutheran Church

Don Mattera
Author, Poet, Journalist And Activist In 143 Organisations

Nkutu Moalosi (Aka David Kgabang)
Anc Office, Stockholm, From The Late 1980s

Berit Rylander
Teacher, Sida

Sverker Sörlin
Professor

Mohammed Tikly
Coordinator Of The Somafco Collection, Batlagae Trust

Howard Varney
Student Activist, End Conscription Campaign, Legal Resources Centre

Dick Urban Vestbro
Africa Groups Of Sweden And Early Isak

Bo Westman
Sida

Mwangala Indongo
Nurse

Dr Indongo
Physician To The Namibian President. Former Deputy Minister Of Health

Ann-Marie Kihlberg
Gothenburg Africa Group, Gothenburg Isak

Beyers Naudé
Director Of The Christian Institute Of Southern Africa—South African Council Of Churches. Director Of The Ecumenical Advice Bureau

Lotta Jonsson
Isak, The Left Party

Sydney Sekeramayi
Zanu—Student In Sweden—Deputy Secretary Of Health, Minister Of State For National Security

Bertil Högberg
Consultant. Churches, Bread And Fishes, Africa Groups, Isak

Rev. Rune Forsbeck
Swedish Ecumenical Council

Kumbirai Kangai
Zanu—Secretary Of Transport And Social Welfare

Josiah Tungamirai
Zanu/Zanla—Political Commissar Former Air Marshal

John Nkomo
Zapu—Secretary Of Administration Minister Of Local Government And Rural Development

Didymus Mutasa
Zanu—Deputy Secretary Of Finance Zanu-Pf Administrative Secretary

Laetitia Rispel
Human Sciences Research Council In Pretoria

Birgitta Karlström-Dorph
Swedish Legation In Pretoria, 1980s

Anita Jansson
Africa Groups Of Sweden (Agis)

Anders Stendalen
Swedish Mine Workers Union (Gruv)

Axel-Ivar Berglund
Swedish Missionary

Ndabaningi Sithole
President Of Zanu, Chairman Of The Zimbabwe Liberation Council And President Of Zanu-Sithole President Of Zanu-Ndonga

Magnus Walan
Uppsala Africa Group And Isak

Jaya Appalraju
Student In Sweden Executive Director Of Matla Trust

Georg Dreifaldt
Africa Groups Of Sweden And Sida

Tozamile Botha
Special Advisor To The Minister Of Housing, It Consultant

Roelof (‘Pik’) Botha
National Party—Minister Of Foreign Affairs Minister Of Mineral And Energy Affairs

Gerald Giose
National Liberation Front/Yu Chi Chan Club—Anc/Umkhonto We Sizwe

John Gomomo
Federation Of South African Trade Unions—Anc—South African Communist Party President Of The Congress Of South African Trade Unions

Lindiwe Mabuza
Anc—Chief Representative To Sweden And The Nordic Countries

Monica Lindh
Falu Africa Group And Dala-Isac

Lennart Renöfält
Africa Groups And Isac

Magdalena Bjerneld
Nurse. Africa Groups Of Sweden