By: Mabel Legote
The Wesleyan Church in Bloemfontein is where the oldest liberation movement in Africa began exactly 100 years ago. In its inception on 8 January 1912 the African National Congress (ANC) was called the South African Native National Congress (SANNC). The party was established due to the exclusion of black people from the Union of South Africa by the British and Afrikaner government.
Black women have always been at the fore front in South African politics. Already in 1913 a campaign against the carrying of passes was launched. This (the carrying of passes) had restricted the movement of women in certain areas within the Orange Free State. The campaign was led by Mary Mqhweto. In 1913 the SANNC delegates made their way to London to protest against The Native Land Act of 1913, which allowed only white people to own or even rent land outside certain areas. But unfortunately the trip was a waste of time as nothing good came off of it.
The SANNC was renamed the ANC in 1923 and four years later Josiah Gumede was elected president of the ANC. With pressures from the extreme Afrikaner nationalism it was clear that the ANC needed to become more radical. Because the good old fashion way of discussing issues in a ‘’civilised’’ manner wasn’t working. So in 1943 Women’s League was formed and later that year the Youth League was also formed with Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu & Oliver Tambo just to name a few.
The Group Areas Act of 1950 which removed black people from ‘’white areas’’, it was during this time that segregation intensified. Shops had different entrances for black & white people, so did benches in parks and even lifts in municipal building.
1956: 9 August women protest against pass laws; Treason Trial 156 people
arrested
1960: Sharpeville Massacre 21 March many were killed during this protest
1964: Nelson Mandela, Goven Mbeki & Walter sentenced to life on Robben Island in the Rivonia Trial
1976: The Soweto Uprising
1989: ANC leaders released from Robben Island
1990: ANC & other organisations unbanned by the National Party and Mandela was released from prison
1991: Mandela elected president of the ANC
1993: Sisulu is assassinated. Oliver Tambo dies from a stroke.
1994: 1st democratic elections in SA Mandela becomes president
1999: Thabo Mbeki succeeds Mandela
2007: Mbeki removed from the presidency & Jacob Zuma is his predecessor
2011: Julius Malema: suspended from the ANCYL for bringing the party to disrepute
These are just some of the major struggles that the ANC has been through over the last century. It has not been an easy journey – in fact it’s been an on-going struggle. The Centenary celebrations are underway in Bloemfontein and some of the major political players from West Rand there include the likes of Nomvula Mokonyane (Gauteng Premier from Kagiso) and Jeje Yaqub (Randfontein Chief Whip from Mohlakeng).
Till next time
PS: Weston Report Team
Kafele Tour Dates:
The Journey 