The ANC is a national liberation movement. It was formed in 1912 to unite the African people and spearhead the struggle for fundamental political, social and economic change.
The ANC's key objective is the creation of a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.
This means the liberation of Africans in particular and black people in general from political and economic bondage. It means uplifting the quality of life of all South Africans, especially the poor.
The ANC is in an alliance with the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). Each Alliance partner is an independent organisation with its own constitution, membership and programmes. The Alliance is founded on a common commitment to the objectives of the National Democratic Revolution, and the need to unite the largest possible cross-section of South Africans behind these objectives.
Author : Jackson Mthembu
31 January 2013
The African National Congress is saddened by the passing of Amina Cachalia today at the age of 82, an anti-apartheid activist and stalwart of our struggle. Comrade Amina, was fondly known played a crucial and visible role in the structures of the liberation movement. She was a prominent member of the South African Communist Party (SACP), and was a key figure in the formation of Federation of South African Women (Fedsaw) and was active in the ANC.
She was a prominent and outspoken figure during the 1956 women march against pass laws and apartheid. She played a critical role in mobilising women and radicalising their programme. She was amongst those who recruited volunteers during the defiance campaign. She is amongst the women who are credited for having placed gender equity firmly as a site of struggle and aligned it to broader struggles led by the ANC. As an individual she lived through the pain of police harassment, imprisonment, house arrests, banning and humiliation. Her prominence during the struggle drew her close to Nelson Mandela, who has been her friend to the last.
During the period of democratic order she continued to be a voice of reason and an individual whose views have assisted to guide our correctness of our strategies and policy choices to acknowledge her role in the libation struggle, she was awarded the Order of Luthuli in Bronze.
South Africa and the ANC will forever be indebted to her and her family for her role in ensuring that South Africa became a democracy so that it could redress the ills of segregation and dehumanisation of the majority of our people. She will always be remembered for her selflessness, steadfastness and commitment. We take this opportunity to convey our condolences to the family and friends. May her soul rest in peace!
Issue by:
Jackson Mthembu
National Spokesperson
African National Congress
Enquiries:
Keith Khoza 0828239672