The African patriots, the story of the African National Congress of South Africa http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.SFF.DOCUMENT.crp3b10002 Use of the Aluka digital library is subject to Aluka’s Terms and Conditions, available at http://www.aluka.org/page/about/termsConditions.jsp. By using Aluka, you agree that you have read and will abide by the Terms and Conditions. Among other things, the Terms and Conditions provide that the content in the Aluka digital library is only for personal, non-commercial use by authorized users of Aluka in connection with research, scholarship, and education. The content in the Aluka digital library is subject to copyright, with the exception of certain governmental works and very old materials that may be in the public domain under applicable law. Permission must be sought from Aluka and/or the applicable copyright holder in connection with any duplication or distribution of these materials where required by applicable law. Aluka is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to creating and preserving a digital archive of materials about and from the developing world. For more information about Aluka, please see http://www.aluka.org The African patriots, the story of the African National Congress of South Africa Author/Creator Benson, Mary Publisher Faber and Faber (London) Date 1963 Resource type Books Language English Subject Coverage (spatial) South Africa Source Northwestern University Libraries, Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies, 968 B474a Description This book is a history of the African National Congress and many of the battles it experienced. The author, Mary Benson, is a South African who was herself committed to the work of the ANC and thus aiding in the collection of many important documents used in the study. Format extent 318 pages (length/size) http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.SFF.DOCUMENT.crp3b10002 http://www.aluka.org 1~I&~ 1~I&~ L ~ i2 '2 ~ i ~ 2 '4 '4 ''4 4 flo ~ <<VK,''0 0<' 12 i 02 4 ~ '00v The African Patriots by the same author . TSHEKEDI KHAMA in preparation ALBERT LUTULI (Oxford University Press) The,. African Patriots THE STORY OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS OF SOUTH AFRICA MARY BENSON FABER AND FABER 24 Russell Square London First published in mcmlxiii by Faber and Faber Limited 24 Russell Square, London W.C.i Printed in Great Britain by Ebenezer Baylis and Son Limited The Trinity Press, Worcester, and London All rights reserved @ Mary Benson 1963 In Memory of Christopher Gell NKOSI SIKELEL' I-AFRIKA Composed by the Xhosa composer Enoch Sontonga and a missionary at Lovedale College for the African National Congress in I912 Translated by Todd Matshikiza NKOSI SIKELEL' I-AFRIKA MALUPHAKANYISW' UPHONDO LWAYO YIVA NEMITHANDAZO YETHU NKOSI SIKELELA NKOSI SIKELELA YIZA MOYA YIZA MOYA OYINGCWELE NKOSI SIKELELA THINA LUSAPHO LWAKHO LORD BLESS AFRICA LET ITS HORN (of hope) BE RAISED LISTEN ALSO TO OUR PLEAS LORD BLESS LORD BLESS COME SPIRIT COME SPIRIT HOLY SPIRIT LORD BLESS Us THY CHARGE The passive resistance in South Africa 'is the most important activity the world can at present take part in, and in which not Christendom alone but all the peoples of the earth will participate.' TOLSTOY-letter to Gandhi, 191o Acknowledgments THIS is a committed book. During the year spent in historical and personal research in South Africa I found it impossible not to become engaged by the spirit of the African National Congress. I am proud that some of its former leaders and members are my friends. There are many people in South Africa-politicians, academics, clergymen, journalists, lawyers, doctors, housewives, secretaries and clerks-who have been most generous in helping with the book. Because of the laws under which they could be victimized I am not thanking them individually. But if they should read the book I hope they will know how deeply grateful I am. Even at the time of interviewing them some of the subjects were being persecuted. I must add particular thanks to those who so quickly and excellently replied to letters. One day I hope to thank them all publicly. To Colin Legum I owe a large debt for invaluable advice on the manuscript. Margery Perham, Phyllis Randone and Anthony Sampson encouraged me with their suggestions. I am grateful to 'Rusty' Bernstein for the use of records on the Mine Strike and to Mrs. E. Binyon and Cyril Dunn for notes on certain incidents. Particularly I thank Eli Weinberg for his pictures. I was persuaded into writing this book. I could think of several writers better equipped to do it, but it was clearly urgent both to get people's reminiscences about what happened fifty years ago and to do the necessary research before the South African Government's extending tyranny prevented this-the 'Sabotage Act', which was passed just after the research was completed, would certainly have made things more difficult than the existing restrictions. Police raids over many years have of course removed much of the written material that must have existed-indeed as I waded through some of what still remains, I sometimes felt grateful to the Special Branch that there was not more! Acknowledgments I only wish the story could have mentioned far more of the thousands of people of all races who struggle so indomitably for freedom and justice in South Africa. Contents Map of Southern Africa showing places mentioned in the book page 13 Names of Leading Officers of the Congress 15 Prologue 188o-191o: Trends and Attitudes 17 I I910-I912: The Foundation 25 II 1912-1918: Land and Loyalty 32 V III 1918-1924: Passive Resistance and Missed Opportunities 42 IV 1924-1929: Philosophies on Trial 54 V 1930-1935: The Depression and Divisions 68 VI 1936: Honourable Trusteeship 78 VII 1936-1940: Silver Jubilee and Beginnings of Revival 85 VIII 1940-1943: Reorganization at a Time of Ferment 95 IX 1943-1944: The YouthLeague 102 X 1944-1946: African Claims 113 XI 1946: The Indians Lead the Struggle 119 XII 1946: The Great Mine Strike 124 XIII 1946-1948: African Internationalism vs. Afrikaner Isolationism 138 XIV 1948: Nationalism Breeds Nationalism 149 / XV 1949-1951: The Programme of Action 16o vXVI 1952: The Defiance Campaign 175 XVII 1953: Aftermath 193 XVIII1954:TalkofFreedom 204 XIX 1955-1956: Women Under Way 217 9 XX XXI XXlI XXlII Contents 1956-1957: Treason?-and Decline page 232 1958: Isms and Fragmentation 240 1959: Resurgence Under Lutuli 254 I96O: Africa Year in South Africa 267 Epilogue I 1961: Verdict on the A.N.C. 273 II 1961-1963: An Indestructible Spirit 285 Source Books 296 Index 297 Illustrations ia The Founder-Pixley ka Izaka Seme facing page 64 ib The first President-The Rev. John L. Dube. Eli Weinberg 64 ic Twice a President-the Rev. Z. Mahabane (in 196o) 64 id 'Founder' of the Modern A.N.C.-Dr. A. B. Xuma 64 2a 1919 Deputation to Versailles and London- 65 Back: J. L. Gumede, L. T. Mvabaza, R. V. Selope Thema Front: Solomon Plaatje, Rev. H. Ngcayiya 2b 1942 Deputation to Deputy Prime Minister 65 Back: Z. K. Matthews, R. G. Baloyi, A. J. Sililo, R. H. Godlo Front: T. M. Mapikela, J. A. Calata, A. B. Xuma, E. Qamata A picture for which Canon Calata was sentencedsee p. 286 FOUNDERS OF THE YOUTH LEAGUE 3a Walter Sisulu. Eli Weinberg 8o 3b Anton Lembede 8o 3c Oliver Tambo. Eli Weinberg 80 3d Nelson Mandela. Eli Weinberg 80 4a Gert Sibande and his family from Bethal 81 4b J. B. Marks, President of Mine Workers. Eli Weinberg 81 4c Moses Kotane back from Bandung 1955. Eli Weinberg 81 THE DEFIANCE CAMPAIGN 5a Volunteers are called for-Walter Sisula speaking. Eli Weinberg 176 5b The Pledge-r. to 1. Dr. J. S. Moroka, Dr. Y. Dadoo, W. Sisulu, Y. Cachalia-see p. 177. Eli Weinberg 176 Illustrations 6a Women Defiers are arrested facing page 177 6b Natal leader-M. B. Yengwa '77 6c Port Elizabeth leader-Dr. J. N. Njongwe '77 SOPHIATOWN PROTESTS 7a Chief Lutuli Leads A.N.C. Procession. New Age 192 7b Fr. Huddleston with Robert Resha (dark coat) and Ida Mntwana (beret). Eli Weinberg 192 CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE 8a The Crowd Listens. Eli Weinberg 193 8b Their Desires. Eli Weinberg 193 9a The Women Hold a Meeting in Orlando. New Age 240 9b The Treason Trial Opens in Johannesburg-Bishop Reeves in the Crowds 240 Ioa Lilian Ngoyi. Eli Weinberg 241 iob Florence Matomela. Eli Weinberg 241 ioc A Common Occurrence. Argument with the PoliceJoe Matlou of Youth League. Eli Weinberg 241 iia Accused of Treason-Prof. Z. K. Matthews and Chief Lutuli 256 iib Potato Boycott Begins. New Age 256 12a The Author with Nelson Mandela 257 I2b Chief Lutuli receiving the Nobel Prize. Norsk T. B. 257 J W-..; ýj . **~***6- %L El .............. .......... ...* / <tlf)*1 *. I NAMES OF LEADING OFFICERS OF THE CONGRESS SINCE I912 PRESIDENT-GENERAL The Rev. John L. Dube S. M. Makgatho The Rev. Z. R. Mahabane J. T. Gumede Dr. P. ka I. Seme The Rev. Z. R. Mahabane Dr. A. B. Xuma Dr. J. S. Moroka Chief A. J. Lutuli SECRETARY-GENERAL Sol T. Plaatje R. V. Selope Thema E. Mochochoko T. D. Mweli Skota Halley Plaatje The Rev. Elijah Mdolomba The Rev. James A. Calata Walter M. Sisulu Oliver Tambo Duma Nokwe Prologue 1880-1910: Trends and Attitudes A fer a hundred years of war and skirmishes the tribes in South Africa had finally given in to the European invaders; succumbing not only to their superior weapons but to their beguiling ideas.