African National Congress (ANC) office bearers

John Langalibalele DubeJohn Langalibalele Dube

On 8 January 2012 the African National Congress (ANC) will be celebrating its centenary. As part of the uKhongolose: ANC and South Africa’s Struggle for Freedom feature, SAHO will be updating the presidential profiles of all the ANC presidents since its formation in 1912. Updated biographies will be highlighted each month during 2012.

Below is a list of all ANC office bearers since its founding in 1912 with each name linked to a biography.

This list is a work in progress, any omissions are unintentional. Please click on the contribute icon on this page if you would like to add a name or biography.

ANC Presidents from 1912 - present

President Period
John Langalibalele Dube - updated November 2011 1912 - 1917
Sefako Mapogo Makgatho - updated December 2011 1917 - 1924
Zaccheus Richard Mahabane - updated January 2012 1924 - 1927
Josiah Gumede -will be updated by end February 2012 1927 - 1930
Pixley ka Isaka Seme - will be updated by end March 2012 1930 - 1936
Zaccheus Richard Mahabane - updated January 2012 1937 - 1940
Dr. Alfred Bitini Xuma - will be updated by end April 2012 1940 - 1949
James Moroka - will be updated by end May 2012 1949 - 1952
Albert Luthuli - will be updated by end June 2012 1952 - 1967
Oliver Tambo - updated October 2011 1967 - 1991
Nelson Mandela - will be updated by end July 2012 1991 - 1997
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki - will be updated by end August 2012 1997 - 2007
Jacob Zuma - will be updated by end September 2012 2007–present


ANC Deputy Presidents from 1952 - present

Deputy President Period
Nelson Mandela 1952 - 1958
Oliver Tambo 1958 - 1985
Nelson Mandela 1985 - 1991
Walter Sisulu 1991 - 1994
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki 1994 - 1997
Jacob Zuma 1997 - 2007
Kgalema Motlanthe 2007–present


ANC General Secretaries from 1912 - present

General Secretary Period
Sol Plaatje 1912–1915
Selope Thema 1915–1917
H. I. Bud M'belle 1917–1919
Saul Msane 1919–1923
T. D. Mweli Skota 1923–1927
E.J. Khaile 1927–1930
Elijah Mdolomba 1930–1936
James Arthur Calata 1936–1949
Walter Sisulu 1949–1955
Oliver Tambo 1955–1958
Duma Nokwe 1958–1969
Alfred Nzo 1969–1991
Cyril Ramaphosa 1991–1997
Kgalema Motlanthe 1997–2007
Gwede Mantashe 2007–present