Denis Goldberg's imprint on the African National Congress (ANC) extends far beyond his notable activism and leadership in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. While his pivotal role in the anti-apartheid movement has rightfully earned him acclaim, one of Goldberg's lesser-known contributions lies in merchandise endeavours, a facet of the struggle that wielded significant symbolic power and practical utility.

 In the crucible of resistance against apartheid, the ANC recognised the importance of ideological warfare and the power of imagery and messaging. As the struggle escalated, the ANC sought to mobilise domestic and international support through various means, including creating and disseminating merchandise bearing the organisation's logo and messages of liberation.

 Goldberg emerged as a central figure in spearheading the ANC's merchandise initiatives. His engineering background and meticulous attention to detail equipped him with the skills necessary to coordinate the production and distribution of ANC merchandise efficiently. Under his guidance, the ANC's merchandise endeavours flourished, producing various items ranging from posters and jewellery to button pins and T-shirts. Each item served as a tangible expression of the ANC's message, carrying the spirit of resistance and the hope for a liberated South Africa. These items became not just symbols of solidarity but also practical tools for raising awareness and funds for the ANC's liberation struggle.

 Today, many of the artefacts and memorabilia from this pivotal period in South Africa's history are preserved and safeguarded in the Art & Artefacts section of the UWC Robben Island Mayibuye Archives. Among these treasures are remnants of the ANC's merchandise and marketing operations, including the October 1988 Catalogue - Support The ANC. The catalogue became a contentious issue for the apartheid regime, which declared it an undesirable publication in December 1988. In The Mission: A Life for Freedom in South Africa by Denis Goldberg, he shared details about his time working in the London office of the ANC in the 1980s. 

" We developed an ever-expanding range of shirts and other memorabilia that I took with me wherever I spoke in public. We were helped by a supportive group of T-shirt printers who were the adult children of Greek and Cypriot activists who had resisted British rule and then their own colonels’ regime. Slowly the idea of a mail-order service we called ANCSA (ANC of South Africa) Merchandise was born. Gill Marcus’s Information Section designed and produced simple and effective catalogues for us. The range of goods kept growing to include sterling silver pendants of our MK Warrior, our logo on high quality enamel badges, brooches, earrings, watches, coffee mugs and pens until we were shipping more than £110 000 (about a quarter of a million US Dollars) of goods a year. The loss each year was about  £10 000 and that for a large amount of publicity that showed in a very public way people’s identification with the ANC as the leader of the struggle against apartheid." 

In October 1988, the ANC produced a catalogue advertising its merchandise range. It included apparel, mugs,  jewellery and badges. Gill Marcus' team in the ANC's Information Section in London put the catalogue together. 

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Among the items in the Denis Goldberg Collection is a 15cm  x 10cm plastic bag, which contains a rubber mould used to create the silver ANC Spearman jewellery.  Hean Studio Ltd  was established in 1970 and is based in Herefordshire, London according to the company website.