The Founders: The Origins of the ANC and the Struggle for Democracy in South Africa

The African National Congress (ANC), founded in 1912, has roots that trace back over sixty years of activism by a new class of African modernizers. Educated in mission schools and universities abroad, these men and women sought to shape a new South Africa as the 19th century gave way to the 20th. While founders like John Dube and Sol Plaatje are well-known today, they represent a larger movement of educated Africans striving for inclusion in a society that largely excluded them, particularly after the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910. This epic story, meticulously reconstructed by Andre Odendaal, highlights their achievements and enduring legacy, connecting the ANC’s formation to modern African political leadership. Nelson Mandela’s 1994 vote symbolized the fulfillment of their vision, marking a historic milestone in South African history.