This issue of the News Bulletin focuses on political repression in Southern Africa, with a particular emphasis on Namibia and South Africa during mid-1986. It covers the Ai-Gams Declaration and the mobilization for Namibian independence, education struggles and student protests, SWAPO's military offensive against South African occupation forces, and the clampdown on information by South African authorities. The bulletin includes detailed reports of military actions, political trials, detentions, new laws under the state of emergency, and the repression of labour movements.

The article reports on SWAPO's participation in independence talks, its political and economic programme for Namibia, and the repression faced by SWAPO officials and supporters by South African authorities in Namibia. It details police and military actions against demonstrations and rallies in Windhoek, Rundu, Tsumeb, Grootfontein, and other towns, including the use of force, arrests, and intimidation. The article also describes efforts by South African and right-wing groups to resist the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 435 and Namibian independence.

This issue of FOCUS covers labour disputes and union activities in Namibia during the first half of 1989, including strikes and negotiations involving NUNW affiliates such as NAPWU, NAFAU, MANWU, and MUN. It also reports on political prisoners, including ongoing detentions and legal proceedings. The publication provides context on the relationship between unions and SWAPO during the transition to independence, and includes a list of sources and abbreviations.