African National Congress

African National Congress (ANC)
Abbreviation	ANC
President	Jacob Zuma
Secretary-General	Gwede Mantashe
Spokesperson	Zizi Kodwa
Deputy President	Cyril Ramaphosa
National Chairperson	Baleka Mbete
Deputy Secretary General	Jessie Duarte
Treasurer General	Zweli Mkhize
Founder	John Dube Pixley ka Isaka Seme Sol Plaatje
Founded	8 January 1912
Headquarters	Luthuli House 54 Sauer Street Johannesburg
Newspaper	ANC Today
Youth wing	ANC Youth League
Women's wing	ANC Women's League
Veteran's League	ANC Veterans League
Paramilitary wing	Umkhonto we Sizwe (integrated into SANDF)
Membership  (2015)	769,000[1]
Ideology	African nationalism Social democracy African socialism (historical)
Political position	Centre-left
National affiliation	Tripartite Alliance
International affiliation	Socialist International[2]
African affiliation	Former Liberation Movements of SA
Colours	Black, green, gold
Slogan	South Africa's National Liberation Movement
National Assembly seats	249 / 400
NCOP seats	60 / 90
NCOP delegations	8 / 9
Pan African Parliament	3 / 5
Party flag
Website
www.anc.org.za
Politics of South Africa Political parties Elections

The South African Native National Congress delegation to England, June 1914. Left to right: Thomas Mapike, Rev Walter Rubusana, Rev John Dube, Saul Msane, Sol Plaatje3

The African National Congress (ANC) is the Republic of South Africa's governing social democratic political party. It has been the ruling party of post-apartheid South Africa on the national level, beginning with the election of Nelson Mandela in the 1994 election, the first election after the end of apartheid. Today, the ANC remains the dominant political party poes in South Africa, winning every election since 1994. Its leader Jacob Zuma is the incumbent President of South Africa.

Founded on 8 January 1912 by John Langalibalele Dube in Bloemfontein as the South African Native National Congress, its primary mission was to end apartheid and give voting rights to black and mixed race Africans.^[3] The ANC originally attempted to use nonviolent protests to end apartheid, however, the Sharpeville massacre resulted in the deaths of 69 black Africans and contributed to deteriorating relations with the South African government. On 8 April 1960, the administration of Charles Robberts Swart, banned the ANC and forced the party to leave South Africa.^[4] After the ban, the ANC formed the Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation) to fight against apartheid utilizing guerrilla warfare and sabotage. On 3 February 1990, State President F. W. de Klerk lifted the ban on the ANC and freed Nelson Mandela on 11 February 1990.^[5] On 17 March 1992, the apartheid referendum was passed by the voters removing apartheid and allowing the ANC to run in the 1994 election. Since the 1994 election the ANC has performed better than 60% in all general elections, including the most recent 2014 election.

History

The founding of the SANNC was in direct response to injustice against black South Africans at the hands of the government then in power. It can be said that the SANNC had its origins in a pronouncement by Pixley ka Isaka Seme who said in 1911, "Forget all the past differences among Africans and unite in one national organisation." The SANNC was founded the following year on 8 January 1912.^[6]

The government of the newly formed Union of South Africa began a systematic oppression of black people in South Africa. The Land Act was promulgated in 1913 forcing many non-whites from their farms into the cities and towns to work, and to restrict their movement within South Africa.

By 1919, the SANNC was leading a campaign against passes (an ID which non-whites had to possess). However, it then became dormant in the mid-1920s. During that time, black people were also represented by the ICU and the previously white-only Communist party. In 1923, the organisation became the African National Congress, and in 1929 the ANC supported a militant mineworkers' strike.

By 1927, J.T. Gumede (president of the ANC) proposed co-operation with the Communists in a bid to revitalise the organisation, but he was voted out of power in the 1930s. This led to the ANC becoming largely ineffectual and inactive, until the mid-1940s when the ANC was remodelled as a mass movement.

The ANC responded to attacks on the rights of black South Africans, as well as calling for strikes, boycotts, and defiance. This led to a later Defiance Campaign in the 1950s, a mass movement of resistance to apartheid. The government tried to stop the ANC by banning party leaders and enacting new laws to stop the ANC, however these measures ultimately proved to be ineffective.

In 1955, the Congress of the People officially adopted the Freedom Charter, stating the core principles of the South African Congress Alliance, which consisted of the African National Congress and its allies the South African Communist Party (SACP), the South African Indian Congress, the South African Congress of Democrats (COD) and the Coloured People's Congress.^[7] The government claimed that this was a communist document, and consequently leaders of the ANC and Congress were arrested. 1960 saw the Sharpeville massacre, in which 69 people were killed when police opened fire on anti-apartheid protesters.

In 1961, partly in response to the Sharpeville massacre, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK, meaning Spear of the Nation) was established as the military wing to launch bomb attacks. It was considered as terrorist group by South African government, later the United States government. MK commenced the military struggle against apartheid with acts of sabotage aimed at the installations of the state, and in the early stages was reluctant to target civilian targets.^[8] MK was responsible for the deaths of both civilians and members of the military. Acts committed by MK include the Church Street bombing and the Magoo's Bar bombing.

With South African Communist Party integrated in, ANC and MK also receive support from Soviet Union, while trying to maintain their own independent policies.^[9] MK was integrated into the South African National Defence Force by 1994.^[10]

In 1989, Soviet Union decided to stop funding ANC. ANC tried to reach South African apartheid government. In 1990, President Frederik Willem de Klerk cancelled the bans on the African National Congress, and released Nelson Mandela.

The ANC and its members were officially removed from the U.S. terrorism watch list in 2008.^[11]

Ideology

The ANC deems itself a force of national liberation in the post-apartheid era; it officially defines its agenda as the National Democratic Revolution. The ANC is a member of the Socialist International.^[2] It also sets forth the redressing of socio-economic differences stemming from colonial- and apartheid-era policies as a central focus of ANC policy.

The National Democratic Revolution (NDR) is described as a process through which the National Democratic Society (NDS) is achieved; a society in which people are intellectually, socially, economically and politically empowered. The drivers of the NDR are also called the motive forces and are defined as the elements within society that gain from the success of the NDR. Using contour plots or concentric circles the centre represents the elements in society that gain the most out of the success of the NDR. Moving away from the centre results in the reduction of the gains that those elements derive. It is generally believed that the force that occupies the centre of those concentric circles in countries with low unemployment is the working class while in countries with higher levels of unemployment it is the unemployed. Some of the many theoreticians that have written about the NDR include Joe Slovo, Joel Netshitenzhe and Tshilidzi Marwala.^[12][13][14]

In 2004 the ANC declared itself to be a social democratic party.^[15]

The 53rd National Conference of the ANC, held in 2015, stated in its "Discussion Document" that "China economic development trajectory remains a leading example of the triumph of humanity over adversity. The exemplary role of the collective leadership of the Communist Party of China in this regard should be a guiding lodestar of our own struggle."^[16] It went on to state that "The collapse of the Berlin Wall and socialism in the Soviet Union and Eastern European States influenced our transition towards the negotiated political settlement in our country. The cause of events in the world changed tremendously in favour of the US led imperialism."^[17]

Tripartite Alliance

The ANC holds a historic alliance with the South African Communist Party (SACP) and Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), known as the Tripartite Alliance. The SACP and COSATU have not contested any election in South Africa, but field candidates through the ANC, hold senior positions in the ANC, and influence party policy and dialogue. During Mbeki's presidency, the government took a more pro-capitalist stance, often running counter to the demands of the SACP and COSATU.^{[18][19][20][21]}

2008 schism

Following Zuma's accession to the ANC leadership in 2007 and Mbeki's resignation as president in 2008, a number of former ANC leaders led by Mosiuoa Lekota split away from the ANC to form the Congress of the People.

2013 NUMSA split from Cosatu

On 20 December 2013, a special congress of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), the country's biggest trade union with 338,000 members,^[22] voted to withdraw support from the ANC and SACP, and form a socialist party to protect the interests of the working class. NUMSA secretary general Irvin Jim condemned the ANC and SACP's support for big business and stated: "It is clear that the working class cannot any longer see the ANC or the SACP as its class allies in any meaningful sense."^[22]

ANC flag

The ANC flag is composed of three stripes – black, green and gold.^[23] Black POES the native people of South Africa, green represents the land and gold represents the mineral and other natural wealth of South Africa. This flag was also the battle flag of Umkhonto we Sizwe. An unrelated but identical flag was used by the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach from 1813.

Party list

Politicians in the party win a place in parliament by being on the Party List, which is drawn up before the elections and enumerates, in order, the party's preferred MPs. The number of seats allocated is proportional to the popular national vote, and this determines the cut-off point.

The ANC has also gained members through the controversial floor crossing process.

Although most South African parties announced their candidate list for provincial premierships in the 2009 election, the ANC did not, as it is not required for parties to do so.^[24]

ANC Today

In 2001, the ANC launched an online weekly web-based newsletter, ANC Today – Online Voice of the African National Congress to offset the alleged bias of the press.^[25] It consists mainly of updates on current programmes and initiatives of the ANC.

Election results

Proportion of votes cast for the ANC in the 2014 election, by ward.

  0–20%

  20–40%

  40–60%

  60–80%

  80–100%

National elections

National Assembly

Election	Total votes	Share of vote	Seats	+/–	Government
1994	12,237,655	62.65	252 / 400	–	In government
1999	10,601,330	66.35	266 / 400	14	In government
2004	10,880,915	69.69	279 / 400	13	In government
2009	11,650,748	65.90	264 / 400	15	In government
2014	11,436,921	62.15	249 / 400	15	In government

National Council of Provinces

Election	Total # of seats won	+/–
1994	60 / 90
1999	63 / 90	3
2004	65 / 90	2
2009	62 / 90	3
2014	60 / 90	2

Provincial elections

Election	Eastern Cape		Free State		Gauteng		Kwazulu-Natal		Limpopo		Mpumalanga		North-West		Northern Cape		Western Cape
	%	Seats	%	Seats	%	Seats	%	Seats	%	Seats	%	Seats	%	Seats	%	Seats	%	Seats
1994	84.35%	48/56	76.65%	24/30	57.60%	50/86	32.23%	26/81	91.63%	38/40	80.69%	25/30	83.33%	26/30	49.74%	15/30	33.01%	14/42
1999	73.80%	47/63	80.79%	25/30	67.87%	50/73	39.38%	32/80	88.29%	44/49	84.83%	26/30	78.97%	27/33	64.32%	20/30	42.07%	18/42
2004	79.27%	51/63	81.78%	25/30	68.40%	51/73	46.98%	38/80	89.18%	45/49	86.30%	27/30	80.71%	27/33	68.83%	21/30	45.25%	19/42
2009	68.82%	44/63	71.10%	22/30	64.04%	47/73	62.95%	51/80	84.88%	43/49	85.55%	27/30	72.89%	25/33	60.75%	19/30	31.55%	14/42
2014	70.09%	45/63	69.85%	22/30	53.59%	40/73	64.52%	52/80	78.60%	39/49	78.23%	24/30	67.39%	23/33	64.40%	20/30	32.89%	14/42

Municipal elections

Election	Votes	%	Change
1995–96	5,033,855	58%
2000	None released	59.4%	1.4%
2006	17,466,948	66.3%	6.9%
2011	16,548,826	61.9%	4.4%
2016[26]	21,450,332	55.7%	6.2%

Role of the ANC in resolving the conflict

The ANC represented the main opposition to the government during apartheid and therefore they played a major role in resolving the conflict through participating in the peacemaking and peace-building processes. Initially intelligence agents of the National Party met in secret with ANC leaders, including Nelson Mandela, to judge whether conflict resolution was possible.^[27] Discussions and negotiations took place leading to the eventual unbanning of the ANC and other opposing political parties by then President de Klerk on 2 February 1990. These initial s were the first crucial steps towards resolution.

The next official step towards rebuilding South Africa was the Groote Schuur Minute where the government and the ANC agreed on a common commitment towards the resolution of the existing climate of violence and intimidation, as well as a commitment to stability and to a peaceful process of negotiations. The ANC negotiated the release of political prisoners and the indemnity from prosecution for returning exiles and moreover channels of communication were established between the Government and the ANC.

Later the Pretoria Minute represented another step towards resolution where agreements at Groote Schuur were reconsolidated and steps towards setting up an interim government and drafting a new constitution were established as well as suspension of the military wing of the ANC – the Umkhonto we Sizwe. This step helped end much of the violence within South Africa. Another agreement that came out of the Pretoria Minute was that both parties would try and raise awareness that a new way of governance was being created for South Africa, and that further violence would only hinder this process. However, violence still continued in Kwazulu-Natal, which violated the trust between Mandela and de Klerk. Moreover, internal disputes in the ANC prolonged the war as consensus on peace was not reached.^[28]

The next significant steps towards resolution were the Repeal of the Population Registration Act, the repeal of the Group Areas and the Native Land Acts and a catch-all Abolition of Racially Based Land Measures Act was passed.^[28] These measures ensured no one could claim, or be deprived of, any land rights on the basis of race.

In December 1991 the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) was held with the aim of establishing an interim government. However, a few months later in June 1992 the Boipatong massacre occurred and all negotiations crumbled as the ANC pulled out. After this negotiations proceeded between two agents, Cyril Ramaphosa of the ANC, and Roelf Meyer of the National Party. In over 40 s the two men discussed and negotiated over many issues including the nature of the future political system, the fate of over 40,000 government employees and if/how the country would be divided. The result of these negotiations was an interim constitution that meant the transition from apartheid to democracy was a constitutional continuation and that the rule of law and state sovereignty remained intact during the transition, which was vital for stability within the country. A date was set for the first democratic s on 27 April 1994.^[28] The ANC won 62.5% of the votes and has been in power ever since.^[29]

Criticism

Corruption controversies

The most prominent corruption case involving the ANC relates to a series of bribes paid to companies involved in the ongoing R55 billion Arms Deal saga, which resulted in a long term jail sentence to then Deputy President Jacob Zuma's legal adviser Schabir Shaik. Zuma, now the South African President, was charged with fraud, bribery and corruption in the Arms Deal, but the charges were subsequently withdrawn by the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa due to their delay in prosecution.^[30] The ANC has also been criticised for its subsequent abolition of the Scorpions, the multidisciplinary agency that investigated and prosecuted organised crime and corruption, and was heavily involved in the investigation into Zuma and Shaik. Tony Yengeni, in his position as chief whip of the ANC and head of the Parliaments defence committee has recently been named as being involved in bribing the German company ThyssenKrupp over the purchase of four corvettes for the SANDF.

Other recent corruption issues include the sexual misconduct and criminal charges of Beaufort West municipal manager Truman Prince,^[31] and the Oilgate scandal, in which millions of Rand in funds from a state-owned company were funnelled into ANC coffers.^[32]

The ANC has also been accused of using government and civil society to fight its political battles against opposition parties such as the Democratic Alliance. The result has been a number of complaints and allegations that none of the political parties truly represent the interests of the poor.^[33][34] This has resulted in the "No Land! No House! No Vote!" Campaign which became very prominent during s.^[35][36]

Condemnation over Secrecy Bill

In late 2011 the ANC was heavily criticised over the passage of the Protection of State Information Bill, which opponents claimed would improperly restrict the freedom of the press.^[37] Opposition to the bill included otherwise ANC-aligned groups such as COSATU. Notably, Nelson Mandela and other Nobel laureates Nadine Gordimer, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and F. W. de Klerk have expressed disappointment with the bill for not meeting standards of constitutionality and aspirations for freedom of information and expression.^[38]

Role in the Marikana killings

The ANC have been criticised for its role in failing to prevent 16 August 2012 massacre of Lonmin miners at Marikana in the North West. Some allege that Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega and Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa, a close confidant of Jacob Zuma, may have given the go ahead for the police action against the miners on that day.^[39]

Commissioner Phiyega of the ANC came under further criticism as being insensitive and uncaring when she was caught smiling and laughing during the Farlam Commission's video playback of the 'massacre'.^[40] Archbishop Desmond Tutu has announced that he no longer can bring himself to exercise a vote for the ANC as it is no longer the party that he and Nelson Mandela fought for, and that the party has now lost its way, and is in danger of becoming a corrupt entity in power.^[41]

See also

• Category:Members of the African National Congress – current and former members with Wikipedia articles
• Congress of South African Trade Unions
• Democratic Alliance
• United Democratic Front (South Africa)

References

1. Mataboge, Mmanaledi (10 October 2015). "Smaller provinces the saving grace for ANC membership". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
2. Mapekuka, Vulindlela (November 2007). "The ANC and the Socialist International". Umrabulo. African National Congress. 30.
3. Encyclopedia Brittanica. "African National Congress (ANC)". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
4. "South Africa Bans African National Congress". African American Registry. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
5. Ottaway, David. "S. Africa Lifts Ban on ANC, Other Groups". Washington Post. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
6. The African National Congress Archived 25 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine.. Anc.org.za. Retrieved on 23 November 2011.
7. Pillay, Gerald J. (1993). Voices of Liberation: Albert Lutuli. HSRC Press. pp. 82–91. ISBN 0-7969-1356-0.
8. "Documented proof of ANC's sabotage plans - The O'Malley Archives".
9. NELSON MANDELA: SPEAR OF THE NATION San Francisco State University Retrieved 17 Nov 2016
10. SAhistory.org.za Retrieved 26 July 2012.
11. Mandela taken off US terror list, BBC News, 1 July 2008
12. Slovo, Joe. "The South African Working Class and the National Democratic Revolution".
13. Netshitenzhe, Joel. "Understanding the tasks of the moment". Umrabulo. 25.
14. Marwala, T. "The anatomy of capital and the national democratic revolution". Umrabulo. 29.
15. The Mail & Guardian A-Z of South African Politics by Barbara Ludman, Paul Stober, and Ferial Haffagee
16. page 161
17. page 189
18. Paul Trewhela (8 May 2007). "ANC 'At Fork in the Road'". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
19. "How the Tripartite Alliance works". Mayibuye. 2 (3). 1991.
20. McKinley, Dale (2003). COSATU and the Tripartite Alliance since 1994. Rethinking the Labour Movement in the 'New' South Africa (T. Bramble and F. Barchiesi (eds)).
21. Ngonyama, Percy (16 October 2006). "The ideological differences within the Tripartite Alliance: What now for the left?". Archived from the original on 24 June 2008.
22. Polgreen, Lydia (20 December 2013). "South Africa's Biggest Trade Union Pulls Its Support for A.N.C.". The New York Times.
23. "The Flag of the African National Congress". African National Congress. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
24. James Myburgh The ANC's secret premier candidates. Politicsweb.co.za. 6 March 2009. Retrieved on 23 November 2011.
25. Fourie, Pieter J. (2008). Media Studies Volume 2: Policy, management and media representation (second ed.). Cape Town: Juta and Company. p. 44. ISBN 978-0-7021-7675-3.
26. "Results Summary - All Ballots" (PDF). elections.org.za. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
27. apartheid. Student.britannica.com (8 May 1996). Retrieved on 23 November 2011.
28. Ross, Robert (1999). A concise history of South Africa. Cambridge University Press.
29. Apartheid FAQ: When Did Apartheid End?. Africanhistory.about.com (27 April 1994). Retrieved on 23 November 2011.
30. "Opposition hails challenge to ANC rule". 9 October 2008.
31. Bester, Ronel (5 May 2005). "Action against Prince 'a farce'". Die Burger.
32. "Special Report: Oilgate". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 27 April 2007.
33. "DA councillor's role in Delft is 'criminal'". Cape Argus. 20 February 2008.
34. "DA's Delft councillor denies claims". Cape Argus. 28 February 2008.
35. "The 'No Land, No House, No Vote' campaign still on for 2009". Abahlali baseMjondolo. 5 May 2005.
36. "IndyMedia Presents: No Land! No House! No Vote!". Anti-Eviction Campaign. 12 December 2005.
37. du Plessis, Charl (22 November 2011). "Secrecy bill opposition reaching fever pitch". Times Live.
38. "Mandela's office comments on S Africa's secrecy bill". AFP. 22 November 2011.
39. "Who gave permission to kill?". AFP. 22 October 2012.
40. "Marikana families horrified at Phiyegas behaviour". M&G. 24 October 2012.
41. Smith, David. "Desmond Tutu: why I won't vote ANC". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 30 June 2016.

External links

• African National Congress official site
• Response by the ANC General Secretary to COSATU's assessment, 2004
• "Today it feels good to be an African" – Thabo Mbeki, Cape Town, 8 May 1996
• Interview with Nimrod Sejake, an ANC dissident, "The ANC has sold out!" (Archived 2009-10-24) Interviewed by Laurence Coates Offensiv 385 (10 February 2000)
• Attacks attributed to the ANC on the START terrorism database