African National Congress

The ANC was established on 8 January 1912 in Bloemfontein as the South African Native National Congress to advocate for the rights of black South Africans.

The African National Congress (ANC) was established in South Africa on January 18, 1912, during a meeting in Bloemfontein. Originally known as the South African Native National Congress, it later changed its name to the African National Congress in 1923. Initially, it aimed to address the racial discrimination faced by non-whites in South Africa.

In 1940, ANC President Alfred Xuma aggressively recruited younger members, including future prominent leaders like Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, and Walter Sisulu, to strengthen the organization.

The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) is officially formed by young radicals at the Bantu Men's Social Centre in Johannesburg. Key figures involved in its formation include Anton Lembede, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, and others.

A mass youth conference is held at Bantu Men's Social Centre in Johannesburg to formally launch the national structure of the ANCYL, with key members including Anton Lembede, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, A.P. Mda, Nelson Mandela, and David Bopape.

The Atlantic Charter Committee, led by ANC leader Dr. A.B Xuma, meets in Bloemfontein to draw up a memorandum titled The Atlantic Charter From the standpoint of Africans within the Union of South Africa. They discuss the articles of the Charter and make observations about each article, forming the basic policy statement for all subsequent ANC documents.

The new ANC constitution, drafted by Dr. A.B Xuma with the help of Professor Macmillian and Bram Fischer, is adopted at the Congress's annual conference. The conference also adopts 'Africans' Claims in South Africa'.

In 1954, the African National Congress (ANC) adopted the Freedom Charter, a document that outlined the core principles and demands of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.

The Congress of the People held on June 26, 1955, in Kliptown, Johannesburg, was a significant event in the history of the anti-apartheid struggle. It adopted the Freedom Charter, a document that called for equal rights and opportunities for all South Africans.

The Sharpeville massacre occurred on 21 March 1960, leading to the banning of the ANC by the South African government. The ban lasted until February 1990.

The ANC's first consultative conference and first conference in exile, held in response to the Hani memorandum and signs of crisis in the MK ranks. Tambo offered his resignation as acting ANC President, but the conference passed a vote of confidence in him. The conference reinstated Hani and adopted a new 'Strategy and Tactics' document.

On the eighth anniversary of the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe by O. R. Tambo, the capture of the Citadel was broadcast to South Africa.

The Soweto Uprising began in June 1976 when high school students protested against the compulsory use of Afrikaans in schools. The brutal police response sparked a nationwide uprising, leading to over 1,000 deaths and galvanizing resistance against apartheid.

On 1 June 1980, a special operations unit of the ANC bombed the Sasol oil refinery complex, causing significant damage and economic impact.

In 1982, a special operations bombing targeted the Koeberg nuclear power station, resulting in substantial damages to the state.

In December 1983, a mutiny known as Mkatashinga broke out at the MK camp in Viana, Angola. Cadres demanded to be sent to fight apartheid in South Africa instead of further battles in the Angolan Civil War. The mutiny resulted in deaths, arrests, and trials of MK members.

The conference was held in response to mutinies within the ANC's MK rank-and-file, leading to the adoption of a code of conduct, establishment of internal judicial procedures, and significant organizational changes including the election of the NEC and the election of Tambo as ANC president.

O. R. Tambo delivered a message on behalf of the National Executive Committee of the ANC during the 74th Anniversary of the ANC, emphasizing the need to attack, advance, and give the enemy no quarter.

On February 2, 1990, State President F. W. De Klerk unbanned the ANC and other illegal organizations, initiating formal negotiations for a peaceful settlement in South Africa. This decision was influenced by various factors such as the end of the Cold War, economic crisis, international pressure, and internal dissent.

Nelson Mandela, as the president of the African National Congress and later the president of South Africa, addressed the Special Committee Against Apartheid at the UN General Assembly in New York City.

During the 48th National Conference in Durban in July 1991, the ANC elected a new NEC and top leadership. Nelson Mandela succeeded Oliver Tambo as president, with Cyril Ramaphosa becoming the secretary-general. This transition signified the evolving dynamics within the ANC and its alignment with other anti-apartheid groups.

In November 1993, an interim Constitution was established in South Africa, paving the way for the country's first democratic elections on 27 April 1994. The African National Congress (ANC) emerged victorious with a significant majority.

On April 27, 1994, South Africa held its first democratic elections, marking the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era of equality and democracy. The African National Congress, led by Nelson Mandela, emerged victorious in these historic elections.

On the 10th of May 1994, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the President of South Africa following the ANC's victory in the historic elections. Mandela's inauguration symbolized the dawn of a new era in South Africa's history.

In 1996, the ANC adopted a new Constitution for South Africa, following the democratic breakthrough in the elections of 1994.

The TRC's five-volume report in 1998 acknowledged the ANC as both a victim and perpetrator of human rights abuses during apartheid, highlighting actions such as landmine campaigns, bombings, attacks on collaborators, and ill treatment of members in exile.

In June 1999, Thabo Mbeki succeeded Nelson Mandela as the second Black president of South Africa, continuing the African National Congress's leadership in the country.

The ANC's 51st National Conference in Stellenbosch in 2002 proceeded without contest, amidst complaints of marginalization by the SACP and tensions over economic policies.

On June 14, 2005, Thabo Mbeki removed Jacob Zuma from his position as deputy president following the conviction of Schabir Shaik on corruption charges, which implicated Zuma in corrupt payments related to the Arms Deal.

In December 2007, the African National Congress (ANC) held a bitterly contested Party Convention where Jacob Zuma defeated Thabo Mbeki for leadership.

The African National Congress (ANC) is a prominent political organization in South Africa that played a crucial role in the fight against apartheid. It has a rich history of activism and leadership in the country.

Jacob Zuma assumed office as the President of South Africa in May 2009 after winning the general election. He served in this position until he resigned in 2018.

President Jacob Zuma delivered the opening address at the 2012 ANC National Policy Conference held in Midrand, setting the tone for the discussions and agenda of the conference.

The ANC was criticized for its role in the failure to prevent the Marikana massacre on August 16, 2012, where Lonmin miners were killed. Allegations were made against ANC officials for potentially authorizing the police action against the miners.

The African National Congress National Election List for the year 2014 was announced on May 16, 2014.

The African National Congress National Election List for the year 2014 was finalized on May 21, 2014.

Cyril Ramaphosa assumed the presidency of the African National Congress on 18 December 2017, taking on a leadership role within the political party.

Under pressure, Jacob Zuma resigned from his position as the President of South Africa in 2018. This marked the end of his presidency.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged in 2020, has had a profound impact on global health, economies, and societies. Governments and organizations worldwide have been working to combat the spread of the virus and mitigate its effects.

In December 2023, uMkhonto weSizwe gained significant attention when former president Jacob Zuma announced his support for the organization instead of campaigning for the ANC in the upcoming South African general election.

In February 2024, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula attended a forum on combating Western neocolonialism hosted by Russia, leading to criticism for the party's perceived support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.