African-Americans Who Fought Against Apartheid

Blacks who spoke out for democracy in South Africa.

On Jan. 8, 2012, South Africa’s beloved African National Congress will commemorate its 100-year anniversary, celebrating its accomplishments toward breaking the chains of racial segregation and oppression of Black South Africans by the white-ruled Apartheid government and bringing racial harmony to the people. Many African-American activists and politicians in America spoke out against apartheid rule, some even meeting with Nelson Mandela, the ANC leader who was jailed for 27 years for his participation in the struggle for freedom and would later become South Africa’s first Black president in 1994. Artists such as Herbie Hancock, Kool DJ Herc and Miles Davis even lent their talents to the Artists United Against Apartheid's Sun City album, a collection of protest songs. Here is a rundown of other prominent African-Americans who fought for racial equality in South Africa.—Britt Middleton

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On Jan. 8, 2012, South Africa’s beloved African National Congress will commemorate its 100-year anniversary, celebrating its accomplishments toward breaking the chains of racial segregation and oppression of Black South Africans by the white-ruled Apartheid government and bringing racial harmony to the people. Many African-American activists and politicians in America spoke out against apartheid rule, some even meeting with Nelson Mandela, the ANC leader who was jailed for 27 years for his participation in the struggle for freedom and would later become South Africa’s first Black president in 1994. Artists such as Herbie Hancock, Kool DJ Herc and Miles Davis even lent their talents to the Artists United Against Apartheid's Sun City album, a collection of protest songs. Here is a rundown of other prominent African-Americans who fought for racial equality in South Africa.—Britt Middleton

Rev. Jesse Jackson - Rev. Jesse Jackson(Photo: Dario Cantatore/Getty Images for Suzanne "Africa" Engo)

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Rev. Jesse Jackson - Rev. Jesse Jackson(Photo: Dario Cantatore/Getty Images for Suzanne "Africa" Engo)

Photo By Photo: Dario Cantatore/Getty Images for Suzanne "Africa" Engo

Dr. Maya Angelou -  Dr. Maya Angelou (Photo: Steve Exum/Getty Images)

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Dr. Maya Angelou -  Dr. Maya Angelou (Photo: Steve Exum/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Steve Exum/Getty Images

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Rep. John Conyers Jr. - U.S. Rep. John Conyers (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Rep. Charles C. Diggs Jr. - U.S. Rep. Charles Diggs Jr.(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

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Rep. Charles C. Diggs Jr. - U.S. Rep. Charles Diggs Jr.(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Photo By Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Harry Belafonte on artists’ social and political responsibility to their audience: -  “The gift of art is a gift of opportunity to change the landscape. Artists can do remarkable things."    (Photo: Andy Kropa/Getty Images)

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Harry Belafonte -  Harry Belafonte(Photo: Andy Kropa/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Andy Kropa/Getty Images

Clarence Clemons - Also known as “The Big Man,” the saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band passed away this month due to complications from a stroke. Beyond music, Clemons was known for acting, having appeared in movies such as Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Fatal Instinct.(Photo: Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)

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Clarence Clemons - Clarence Clemons(Photo: Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images

Herbie Hancock - Herbie Hancock(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Herbie Hancock - Herbie Hancock(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Kool DJ Herc - Kool DJ Herc(Photo: Getty Images)

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Kool DJ Herc - Kool DJ Herc(Photo: Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Getty Images

Run-DMC - Run-DMC(Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

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Run-DMC - Run-DMC(Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

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David Ruffin - David Ruffin(Photo: Detroit Free Press/MCT/Landov)

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David Ruffin - David Ruffin(Photo: Detroit Free Press/MCT/Landov)

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Eddie Kendricks - Eddie Kendricks(Photo: Charlie Gillett Collection/Redferns/Getty Images)

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Eddie Kendricks - Eddie Kendricks(Photo: Charlie Gillett Collection/Redferns/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Charlie Gillett Collection/Redferns/Getty Images

Darlene Love - Darlene Love(Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for The Broadway League)

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Darlene Love - Darlene Love(Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for The Broadway League)

Photo By Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for The Broadway League

Bobby Womack: March 4 - The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer turns 68. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Bobby Womack - Bobby Womack (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Afrika Bambaataa - One of the true innovators of both hip hop culture and DJing, Afrika Bambaataa deserves credit for much of what came after him and also founded the Universal Zulu Nation. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 28:  Hip hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa speaks during a press conference in New York City.  (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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Kurtis Blow\r - One of hip hop's pioneers, Kurtis Blow will step to the stage and pay tribute in classic old school fashion.\r \r(Photo: Leigh Vogel/WireImage/GettyImages)

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Kurtis Blow - Kurtis Blow (Photo: Leigh Vogel/WireImage)

Fat Boys - Fat Boys(Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage/Getty Images)

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Fat Boys - Fat Boys(Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage/Getty Images

George Clinton - The Parliament-Funkadelic frontman filed for bankruptcy in 1985, and if that wasn't bad enough, a judge later revoked his rights to his own work when it was discovered he didn't disclose the potential for future income. The court sure dropped the bomb on this funk legend.(Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

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George Clinton -  George Clinton (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

Photo By Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 29: Singer Jimmy Cliff visits SiriusXM Studio on November 29, 2011 in New York City. (Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 29: Singer Jimmy Cliff visits SiriusXM Studio on November 29, 2011 in New York City. (Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

Gil Scott-Heron Rest in Paradise - Legendary spoken word musician and poet Gil Scott-Heron passed away Friday [May 27] in New York at age 62. Known for making political statements in his work and for creating the blueprint for hip-hop, Scott-Heron was a music pioneer. In honor of the memorial service and public viewing being held today [June 2] and tomorrow, BET.com reflects on why Scott-Heron is known as "the godfather of rap" by highlighting his most noteworthy albums and a few of the many hip hop artists who've sampled his work. 

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Gil Scott-Heron - Gil Scott-Heron(Photo: Gilles Petard/Redferns)

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Nona Hendryx - Nona Hendryx(Photo: Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

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Nona Hendryx - Nona Hendryx(Photo: Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

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Lotti Golden - Lotti Golden(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

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Lotti Golden - Lotti Golden(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Photo By Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Miles Davis - Miles Davis(Photo: Landov)

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Miles Davis - Miles Davis(Photo: Landov)

Success for Oprah Winfrey's OWN Network - Oprah lost of a bit of her golden touch last year when her OWN network failed to convert her daytime talk show fans into a decent cable television audience. Now that she's eaten her humble pie, it's time for O to get back on that horse and show us she's still got it.(Photo: Kristian Dowling/Picturegroup)

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Oprah Winfrey - Oprah Winfrey(Photo: Kristian Dowling/Picturegroup)

Bill Cosby\r  - This actor and comedian has been a father figure to America for decades, but he experienced the worst tragedy a father can face in 1997, when his son Ennis was shot and killed by a robber while changing a tire on the freeway.\r(Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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Bill Cosby - Bill Cosby(Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images