The African National Congress is founded.

The African National Congress (ANC) is a prominent social-democratic political party in South Africa, deeply rooted in the country's struggle for liberation and equality. Its political philosophy, often described as social democracy, emphasizes social justice, economic transformation, and non-racialism, aiming to address the profound inequalities inherited from the apartheid era.

Since the historic multi-racial general election of 1994, which marked the end of institutionalized racial segregation and ushered in a democratic dispensation, the ANC has held continuous power. This pivotal election saw the election of Nelson Mandela, a globally revered lawyer, activist, and former political prisoner, as South Africa's first democratically elected president. The ANC has since been re-elected in every subsequent national election, maintaining its governing mandate. However, a noticeable trend has emerged since 2004, where the party's electoral majority has steadily diminished, reflecting a shifting political landscape. As of December 18, 2017, Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also the incumbent President of South Africa, serves as the President of the ANC, steering the party through its contemporary challenges and opportunities.

The Genesis of a Liberation Movement: From SANNC to ANC

The origins of the African National Congress trace back to January 8, 1912, when it was founded in Bloemfontein by John Langalibalele Dube, a distinguished educator, newspaper editor, and religious leader. Initially established as the South African Native National Congress (SANNC), its foundational mission was to unite all African peoples, transcending tribal and regional divisions, to collectively defend their fundamental rights and freedoms against the burgeoning racial discrimination and land dispossessions of the time. This unified front was crucial in the face of the oppressive policies being implemented by the newly formed Union of South Africa.

A core objective of the SANNC, and later the ANC, was to secure full voting rights for all Black South Africans and mixed-race South Africans (often referred to as Coloured people), challenging the racially exclusive franchise system. Furthermore, a central tenet of its struggle was the complete dismantlement of the apartheid system, a draconian framework of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination formally introduced by the National Party government following its electoral victory in 1948. Apartheid codified racial hierarchy, denying non-white citizens basic human rights, restricting their movement, and enforcing separate development based on race.

The Path to Armed Struggle: Sharpeville and Umkhonto we Sizwe

For decades, the ANC primarily employed non-violent methods of protest and civil disobedience to oppose racial discrimination and apartheid. Campaigns like the Defiance Campaign of 1952 saw thousands of volunteers intentionally breaking unjust laws, leading to mass arrests but also drawing significant national and international attention to the plight of Black South Africans. However, a tragic turning point occurred on March 21, 1960, with the infamous Sharpeville massacre. During a peaceful protest against discriminatory pass laws, police opened fire on unarmed demonstrators, resulting in the deaths of 69 Black South Africans and wounding hundreds more. This brutal incident profoundly deteriorated relations between the ANC and the white minority government, revealing the regime's willingness to use extreme force to suppress dissent.

In the aftermath of Sharpeville, on April 8, 1960, Governor-General Charles Robberts Swart declared the ANC an illegal organization, effectively outlawing its activities and forcing its leadership underground or into exile. The ANC would remain banned for the next three decades, facing severe repression. Faced with the government's escalating violence and the closure of non-violent avenues for change, the ANC made the difficult decision to abandon its exclusive commitment to non-violence. In December 1961, it formed Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), meaning "Spear of the Nation," its armed wing. MK's mandate was to fight against apartheid through carefully planned acts of sabotage, primarily targeting government infrastructure such as power stations, police stations, and communication lines, rather than civilian targets. This strategic shift aimed to exert pressure on the regime while minimizing civilian casualties, although it marked a significant escalation in the anti-apartheid struggle.

The Dawn of Democracy: Release from Prison and Universal Suffrage

After thirty arduous years of being outlawed, during which countless ANC members endured imprisonment, torture, or forced exile abroad, South Africa began an irreversible journey towards a full non-racial democracy. This shift was driven by a combination of sustained internal resistance, mounting international sanctions, and diplomatic pressure. On February 3, 1990, State President F. W. de Klerk, a key figure in the transition, courageously repealed the ban on the ANC and other liberation movements. Crucially, just eight days later, on February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from Victor Verster Prison (now Drakenstein Correctional Centre) after 27 years of incarceration, a moment that electrified the nation and the world, signaling the imminent end of apartheid.

The path to democracy was meticulously negotiated, involving complex discussions between the ANC, the National Party government, and other stakeholders. A significant step occurred on March 17, 1992, when a referendum on the continuation of apartheid was held. While this referendum was controversially limited to white South African voters, an overwhelming majority (68.7%) voted to abolish apartheid, effectively giving the white electorate's mandate for the transition. This cleared the way for the ANC to participate in the landmark 1994 general election. For the first time in South African history, this election allowed all citizens, regardless of their race, to register and cast their vote, establishing universal adult suffrage and truly reflecting the will of the entire nation.

Contemporary ANC: Electoral Performance and Challenges

Since the democratic breakthrough of 1994, the ANC has consistently emerged as the dominant political force in South African elections, polling above 55% in all general elections. In the inaugural 1994 election, the ANC secured a resounding victory with 62.65% of the national vote. Subsequent elections saw them maintain strong majorities: 66.35% in 1999 and their highest ever at 69.69% in 2004. While they continued to win in 2009 (65.9%) and 2014 (62.15%), the trend of a diminishing majority began to solidify. The most recent general election in 2019 yielded the ANC's worst electoral result to date, though still a majority, with approximately 57.50% of the vote.

This gradual decline in support is indicative of a complex set of challenges facing the party. Since around 2011, the ANC has been embroiled in numerous controversies, including widespread allegations of corruption, maladministration, and "state capture"—a phenomenon where private individuals and companies are alleged to have unduly influenced government decision-making for personal gain. These issues have significantly eroded public trust and confidence in the party's leadership and governance. Consequently, the ANC has been steadily losing electoral ground to a growing number of smaller and more vocal opposition parties, reflecting a more diverse and competitive political landscape in South Africa. The party now faces the critical task of addressing these issues to restore its standing and re-energize its base.

Frequently Asked Questions About the African National Congress (ANC)

When was the ANC founded?
The African National Congress was founded on January 8, 1912, in Bloemfontein.
Who founded the ANC?
The ANC was founded by John Langalibalele Dube, initially as the South African Native National Congress (SANNC).
What was the primary mission of the ANC at its founding?
Its primary mission was to unite all Africans in South Africa to defend their rights and freedoms, particularly advocating for full voting rights for Black and mixed-race South Africans and ultimately ending the apartheid system.
When did the ANC come to power in South Africa?
The ANC came to power in 1994 following South Africa's first democratic, multi-racial general election, with Nelson Mandela elected as president.
Why did the ANC form Umkhonto we Sizwe?
Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the ANC's armed wing, was formed in December 1961 after the Sharpeville massacre and the banning of the ANC. This decision was made in response to the government's violent suppression of peaceful protests and the closure of non-violent avenues for change, initiating a period of armed struggle through sabotage against state infrastructure.
Who is the current President of the ANC?
As of December 18, 2017, Cyril Ramaphosa serves as the President of the ANC. He is also the incumbent President of South Africa.
Has the ANC's electoral support changed since 1994?
While the ANC has won every national election since 1994, its electoral majority has steadily decreased since 2004, with the 2019 general election yielding its lowest national result to date, reflecting growing political competition and public concerns over governance issues.