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 We have also included ANC historical documents and an events timeline.