African National Congress Research Paper

‘The African National Congress (ANC) proved to be the pivotal activist group in overcoming Apartheid in South Africa.’

The African National Congress (ANC) proved to be the pivotal activist group in overcoming Apartheid within South Africa during the latter half of the 20th century. The ANC was a social movement group who formed in 1912 to unite the people of South Africa and to front the struggle for underlying political, economic and social change. The ANC were at the forefront of the political and social movement groups in South Africa and profoundly influenced new liberty groups to be formed through Steve Biko and the Black Consciousness Movement. The ANC also allowed for a channel of public and political support following the Soweto
The Soweto riots of 1976 were the most violent and aggressive riots that had taken place against the South African apartheid government. The Soweto Uprising was caused by an education reform of the Bantu Education Department by the apartheid government. The reform triggered ANC influenced student riots all across South Africa as the students loathed being forced to learn the language of their oppressors (Meli F, 1989). Tensions grew between black and white communities following the riots and a large social divide emerged. The immediate reaction by many students was to rush and join the ANC in support of pushing for a united South Africa. The ANC supported the young black students and helped funnel their frustration toward a national push of youth against apartheid. Nelson Mandela stated in his autobiography Long Walk To Freedom that the ANC were able to gain a large student following and established themselves as the pivotal activist group in the struggle against white oppression. ‘The aftermath of the uprising established the leading role of the ANC in the liberation struggle.’ (Mandela N, 1995) Mandela spoke of the ANC taking control of the activist movement within South Africa. Mandela’s statement is further supported by former ANC member Mbeki, who
The ANC assisted student groups in setting up the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), a student and university level anti-apartheid movement group (Mandela N, 1995). Government officials attempted to restrict the activities of various black anti-apartheid groups, while the ANC assisted in pushing forward student rallies and marches. Regardless of the National Party’s actions, they could not stop additional protests and the student’s support of the ANC. The Soweto Uprising allowed the ANC to utilise its influence within the black community to help push forward against the National Party. The ANC also proved influential in their support of workers unions and workers