African Nationalist reaction

• The most important consequence of Sharpeville was the banning of the ANC and PAC.
• Both the ANC and PAC became illegal organisations and set up military wings to take the fight to the South African government.
• The ANC's military organisation was also known as the Spear of Nation (MK).
• Nelson Mandela became one of the leaders of, planting bombs at post offices, electricity sub-stations and pass offices.
• In 1962, Mandela left SA and toured other African countries and visited Britain.
• On Mandela's return to SA he was arrested for not having a valid passport and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.
• While Mandela was serving his sentence, the police raided Rivonia headquarters (the MK's headquarters) and Mandela was put on trial for treason. He was sentenced to life in prison.
• After the "Rivonia Trial" many ANC and PAC guerrillas fled abroad and began to attack SA from bases in friendly African countries.
• Attacks from the MK and PAC grew much worse from the late 1970's, when Mozambique and Angola became independent.