Mary Manning
Irish shop assistant and trade union activist whose 1984 refusal to handle South African grapefruit helped spark a prominent consumer boycott and brought attention to the campaign against apartheid.
Best podcasts with Mary Manning
Ranked by the Snipd community
Apr 2, 2026 • 0sec
04 | Boycott! | The Grapefruit Ladies
Mary Manning, an Irish shop assistant and trade union activist who refused to handle South African grapefruit in 1984. The conversation covers her suspension and picket lines, how consumer boycotts aimed to cripple apartheid economically, coordinated international union bans on oil and shipping, and the grassroots stunts and political backlash that helped isolate South Africa.
Jun 12, 2024 • 10min
The Irish shopworkers strike against apartheid
Mary Manning, Irish shopworker, led a strike against apartheid in 1984. The strike lasted almost three years, leading to a complete ban on South African imports in Ireland. The strikers addressed the United Nations and met with Nelson Mandela. Inspiring story of perseverance and activism.
