AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS (ANC) - the first national liberation movement on the African continent, formed in 1912 in connection with the proclamation of the Union of South Africa, which declared the rule of the white minority. Subsequently, the movement was transformed into a political party, which by the end of the 20th century became the leading parliamentary party in the South African Republic (South Africa). The party proclaimed its goal to protect the rights and freedoms of Africans as a single people. The party is chaired by Cyril Ramaphosa, who has been President of the Republic of South Africa since 2019. The party headquarters, Luthuli House, is located in one of the largest cities in South Africa, Johannesburg. The number of party members as of 2020 is over 896,000 people. The ANC adheres to a social democratic ideology and seeks to combat racial, ethnic and gender discrimination; protects the rights and freedoms of South African residents; strives to overcome socio-economic inequality; strives to maintain world peace and to settle all international disputes peacefully. The party received its real name in 1923, until that time it was called the South African Native National Congress. Among the founders of the party were the writer and social activist John Langalibalele Dube and the publicist Sol Plaatje. The growth of African nationalism and the resurgence of racism led to the expansion of cooperation between organizations of Africans and Indians. In 1947, the ANC and the Indian congresses signed a pact to fully support each other's campaign. In 1950, thanks to the efforts of the party, a massive movement of resistance to apartheid was born. In 1991-1997, the party leader was Nelson Mandela, the renowned human rights activist. In the period from 1994 to 1999, Nelson Mandela also served as President of South Africa. From 1994 to the present, the party has been the ruling party in South Africa. In 1944, the African National Congress Youth League was created. In 2013, the ANC and the United Russia party entered into a cooperation agreement. In the 2019 elections to the National Assembly, the ANC won 230 seats, accounting for 58% of the total. Party's official website: http://www.anc1912.org.za