African National Congress
The African National Congress (ANC) has been the ruling political party in South Africa since the dismantling of apartheid in 1994. The ANC was founded in 1912, in emulation of the Indian National Congress. In 1961 a paramilitary organisation, Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation) was founded by the ANC to further its aims by acts of violence. It is allied to the South African Communist Party and a member of the Socialist International.
Its most famous members - past or present - are Chief Albert Luthuli and President Nelson Mandela, both of whom have won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Since 1994 the ANC has formed the government of South Africa. Its current chairman is Cyril Ramaphosa who succeeded Jacob Zuma following Zuma's resignation due to criminal charges.
Leaders of ANC
- 1912–1917: John Langalibalele Dube
- 1917–1924: Sefako Mapogo Makgatho
- 1924–1927: Zaccheus Richard Mahabane
- 1927–1930: Josiah Tshangana Gumede
- 1930–1936: Pixley ka Isaka Seme
- 1937–1940: Zaccheus Richard Mahabane
- 1940–1949: Alfred Bitini Xuma
- 1949–1952: James Moroka
- 1952–1967: Albert Luthuli
- 1967–1991: Oliver Tambo
- 1991–1997: Nelson Mandela
- 1997–2007: Thabo Mbeki
- 2007-2017: Jacob Zuma
- since 2017: Cyril Ramaphosa
