ANC

• Formation

  • The ANC was originally established in 1912 as the South African Native National Congress (SANNC). Its aim was to unify African people and represent their grievances against the backdrop of racial segregation.
• Objectives

  • Initial Phase (1912-1949): Primarily to represent the black majority and voice concerns using constitutional means.
• Objectives

  • Post-1949: Aimed to directly confront apartheid laws using strikes, boycotts, and civil disobedience.
• Strategies

  • Early years: Used delegation, petitions, and representations to voice African grievances.
• Strategies

  • 1940s-1950s: Adopted the Programme of Action in 1949, endorsing strikes, boycotts, and civil disobedience.
• Strategies

  • 1960s onwards: As the environment became increasingly repressive, the ANC, in partnership with MK, resorted to armed resistance.
• Key Figures

  • Nelson Mandela: Central in transitioning the ANC towards active resistance. He was arrested and imprisoned for his anti-apartheid activities.
• Key Figures

  • Oliver Tambo: He led the ANC in exile, fostering global alliances and gathering international opposition to apartheid.
• Key Figures

  • Walter Sisulu: A core strategist and the backbone of the ANC, nurturing leaders and guiding the movement's tactics.
• Contributions

  • Led the Defiance Campaign in 1952, challenging apartheid laws.
• Contributions

  • Pivotal in the Congress of the People in 1955, resulting in the Freedom Charter.
• Contributions

  • Ensured global awareness of apartheid's cruelties.
• Challenges and Opposition

  • Banned in 1960, leading to decades of covert operations.
• Challenges and Opposition

  • Constant surveillance and harassment by the apartheid state.
• Challenges and Opposition

  • Many leaders, including Mandela, were arrested, crippling the movement temporarily.