Green plaque honours ANC
 | | Terry Stacy with Dr Zola Skweyiya |
AN ORGANISATION that fought against the oppression of black South Africans from an office in Islington has been honoured with a special plaque.
The African National Congress (ANC) had its headquarters in Penton Street between 1978 and 1994.
From the humble base, the likes of Oliver Tambo and Thabo Mbeki planned the overthrow of the apartheid regime. In March 1982, the building survived a terrorist bomb explosion planted by agents working for the South African government.
On Monday it was marked by a permanent plaque - the first of a series of Green Plaques to appear on buildings across the borough to celebrate the hidden history and achievements of Islington's diverse community.
Guests including His Excellency Dr Zola Skweyiya, High Commissioner for South Africa, Jack Beula, chairman of educational heritage organisation Nubian Jak Ltd and Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn joined Islington Council leader Terry Stacy at the unveiling.
Mr Beula said: "The ANC plaque, coming hot on the heels of the 20th anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from prison, and just a few months before the World Cup in South Africa, is a timely reminder of those whose commitment to freedom, justice and democracy, has contributed to a new South Africa of hope and fulfilled potential."
The ANC only moved out of the Penton Street premises when Nelson Mandela was elected president in 1994.
Councillor Stacy said: "It's hard to believe that these modest offices in an Islington back street were the ANC's nerve centre in the UK and the momentum behind the most important political change in Africa.
"The ANC's time in Islington is part of the rich diversity that gives our borough and its people their unique spirit and character."
Mr Corbyn said: "Our local history is global history.
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