The Belgian Mission was among the earliest of the international offices opened by the African National Congress. As the site of the EEC (European Economic Community) or Common Market, and the Benelux (Belgium-Netherlands-Luxembourg) Economic Union, Brussels was seen to be an important location. The ANC mission formed close links early on with the ACP/EEC (African, Caribbean Pacific group of States) and the EEC.

However, in the absence of recorded information on the setting up of the Belgian Mission we have relied primarily on the report of Rose Motsepe, the ANC Women's representative in Western Europe who was based in Brussels from 1981-1987. Her report was presented to the ANC Women's Conference in Luanda, September 1987, and is located in Box 1 File 15 of the Belgian Mission. Her husband, Godfrey Motsepe, was appointed Chief Representative for the Benelux countries, based in Brussels. His work extended over Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and he worked closely with the Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden, and with France. Godfrey became a central figure in ANC solidarity work in Europe, ably partnered by Rose.

Rose found her work in Belgium difficult at first due to the split between the Flemish and French speaking populations. This is reflected in the Anti-Apartheid Movement having two groups one of which was VAAK (Vlaamse Anti-Apartheidskoordinatie) as well as a very active Comite Contre Colonisation et l'Apartheid. The split affected women's groups, trade unions and political parties which led to each group operating separately and in turn complicated the work of the mission.

The conservative, reserved nature of Belgian people presented a challenge and the main support for the mission first came from CCCA and OXFAM.

Funding was extremely limited, as women's organisations were small and women were short of money. The missions were expected to raise funds in situ by building up support from sympathetic groups and individuals. Dutch solidarity was their mainstay.

However, with time, the work of the mission, much aided by the commitment of Rose Motsepe, bore fruit and requests for speakers, correspondence from organisations and individuals flowed into the office and diplomatic connections were built with the Embassies in the country. In December 1986 a "Seminar in Solidarity with South African Women and Children" was held in Brussels. The "Free the Children" campaign drew thousands of signatures which were handed into the South African Embassy in Brussels at a successful June 16th commemoration of the Soweto uprising; a gathering which brought together "both Flemish and French in an unusual display of cooperation.."

In 1989 Godfrey Motsepe left the mission. In November of that year, Ted Pekane took up his post as Chief Representative of the Belgian Mission. All the African Embassies in Belgium were included in the invitations to the reception. He held the post until 1991/92 when Sisa Ngombane took on the task of informing solidarity groups of the progress of negotiations towards democratic elections and the transformation of South Africa.