AZAPO is re-launched in Roodepoort

The Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO) was re-launched in Roodepoort for the second time. After the outbreak of the Student Uprising in 1976, the government responded by detaining several members of the South African Student Organisation (SASO), banning the organisation and its structures. On 28 April 1978, AZAPO was formed but harassment, detention and torture of several of its members and leadership just before the launch of the party and its constitution resulted in its failure to launch. The organisation was ordered to disband by the end of July 1979. The release of several members of AZAPO detained at Modder B Prison provided fresh momentum for the re-launch of AZAPO.  On 30 September 1979, the party re-launched at its conference in Roodepoort, electing Curtis Nkondo as its president. At its formation, AZAPO aimed to take forward the ideals of the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM). A number of people that served in its structures were involved in SASO and the BCM in general. Some of the people that have served on AZAPO in various capacities include among others Itumeleng Mosala, Nchaupe Mokoape, Mosibudi Mangena, Saths Cooper, Strini Moodley, Muntu Myeza and Pandelani Nefolovhodwe. AZAPO's ideology was influenced by the writings of Lenin and Marx. The organization saw the capitalist system rather than apartheid as the main oppressing force in South Africa and believed that class divisions had taken place on racial lines. AZAPO also recognized the importance of Trade Unions in the liberation struggle Azanian Students' Organisation (AZASO) was established in November 1979 by students of Fort Hare, Natal, Turfloop, University of Zululand and Durban-Westville. AZASO had close ties with AZAPO until 1980 when the student organization split from AZAPO after it opposed the suspension of AZAPO's president Curtis Nkondo. AZASO was disbanded in 1986 when it joined the South African National Students' Congress (SANSCO). In 1989, AZAPO formed its own armed wing the Azanian National Liberation Army (AZANLA). AZAPO boycotted the participation in the 1994 elections but has continued to participate in subsequent elections.