Reference
African National Congress
The African National Congress (ANC) has been South Africa's governing party since the establishment of majority rule in April 1994. Members first founded the organization as the South African Native National Congress (SANNC) on 8 January 1912 in Bloemfontein- in order to protest injustices against the black South African population. John Dube, its first president, and poet and author Sol Plaatje, are among its founding members. The organization became the ANC in 1923, and formed a military wing, the Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation) in 1961.
This history is about the ANC’s struggle for freedom and justice. It tells the story of the ANC (history), allied organisations (affiliates) and the people involved. We have also included ANC historical documents and an events timeline.
Latest
New South African President
25 September 2008 - Kgalema Motlanthe elected as South African president
ANC Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has been elected President of the Republic of South Africa.
Mr Motlanthe, 59, is a former agent of the ANC's armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe, a Robben Islander prisoner and trade unionist. He was elected to the post by parliament until the next elections. Read more
16 December 2008 - ANC split
The Congress of the People (COPE) the largest breakaway group from the ANC since its formation in 1912 is to formally launch on 16 December 2008 in Bloemfontein.
The COPE like the PAC in 1959, which also break away from the ANC, have given as its reason that the ANC under Jacob Zuma has become undemocratic and arrogant and has moved away from the ANC of Luthuli, Mandela and Tambo's time.
COPE has therefore chosen to appropriate the symbols of the Freedom Charter and 16 December, the date which has become the symbol of the Congress Alliance's launching of the armed struggle.
Ironically the date was first associated with Voortrekkers defeat of Dingaan’s army at Blood river and this year is the 170th anniversary of this defeat (1838-2008).