The aims, tactics and leaders of the opposition groups

The first anti-apartheid group listed is the ANC (the African National Congress). The ANC was formed in 1912 to defend freedom rights and privileges of all African people under the 'Freedom Charter' of 1955: multi racial, one adult one vote, socialist sympathies.Its prominent leaders were Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and Albert Lutuli.Its major demonstrations include:* The 1952 Defiance Campaign.* MK's 1960's attacks on oil refineries and power stations.* The 1983 bombing of Air Force HQ.

* The 1984 attack on dockyards in Durban.Nelson Mandela was born in Thembuland in Transkei in 1918.In 1940, he and Oliver Tambo were expelled from Fort Hare University for taking part in a student strike. He left for Johannesburg where he became a mine policeman. He met Walter Sisulu, who helped him become a lawyer. He set up the ANC Youth League in 1944 and took a leading part in the Defiance Campaign against apartheid in 1952.

Nelson Mandela became well known for his skill as a lawyer, and the speeches he gave during a trial for High Treason, which lasted from 1956 to 1961.Mandela later became the first commander in chief of the ANC's guerrilla army, 'Umkhonto we Sizwe' (or 'Spear of the Nation'), or 'MK' for short, which was set up in 1961. He was captured in 1962 after around 17 months on the run as an outlaw, and sentenced to five years in prison. However, evidence found at MK's headquarters at Rivonia caused another trial to be held, for planning acts of terrorism.

Mandela was sentenced to life in prison on Robben Island, but was released in 1990. He continued to campaign for the end of apartheid, and in 1994 he was elected President of South Africa.Walter Sisulu was born in Transkei in 1912.He left school when he was 15 years old, and worked in several jobs, including labourer, gold miner and eventually an estate agent. Sisulu was Secretary-General of the ANC between 1949 and 1954, and travelled in Russia, China and Europe.

He assisted Mandela in setting up 'Umkhonto we Sizwe', and was also sentenced to life on Robben Island in 1964. Walter Sisulu was released in 1989, and took part in talks with the government, which ultimately led to the end of apartheid.Oliver Tambo was born in eastern Pondoland in 1917.Tambo studied for a science degree at the University of Fort Hare, and became a school teacher. He helped set up the ANC Youth League in 1944 and also formed the first African law firm with Nelson Mandela in 1952. After the banning of the ANC in 1960, he went abroad to form an external mission, and became leader of the ANC in exile.

Tambo suffered a stroke in 1989, and returned to South Africa as President of the ANC in 1990. He died in 1993.Albert Lutuli was born in 1898.He was forced to resign as a Zulu chief for supporting the Defiance Campaign against apartheid.

Lutuli became president of the ANC in 1952, and was a strong supporter of the Freedom Charter. He believed in non-violent methods of protest, and working with people regardless of race to oppose apartheid. Albert Lutuli was one of the 156 people put on trial for high treason in 1956. He publicly burnt his pass book after the Sharpeville Massacre.

Lutuli received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1961, and was killed in a railway accident six years later.The second anti-apartheid group listed is the PAC (the Pan African Congress). The PAC split from the ANC and was formed in 1959 with the aim of a government of South Africa by black Africans.Its prominent leader was Robert Sobukwe.Its major demonstrations include:* The 1960 Sharpeville anti-pass law campaign (69 demonstrators killed, 180 wounded)Robert Sobukwe was born in 1924.Sobukwe joined the ANC Youth League in 1947, and became a language teacher at the University of Witwatersrand in 1954.

Robert wasn't happy about the influence of Indians, communists and white liberals in the ANC. In 1959 he left the ANC and created the PAC. In 1960, Sobukwe was arrested for leading the PAC protest against Pass Laws, which resulted in the Sharpeville Massacre. He was imprisoned for 3 years in prison in the Transvaal, and 6 more years on Robben Island.

When he was released, he was banned from politics. Sobukwe died of cancer in 1978.The third anti-apartheid group listed is the SASO (the South African Student's Organisation). The SASO was formed in 1969 with the aim to promote ideas of black consciousness. They formed the Black People's Convention in 1971.

Its prominent leader was Steve Biko.Its major demonstrations include:* The 1976 Soweto DemonstrationSteve Biko was born in King William's Town in 1946.Biko became a medical student at the University of Natal in 1966, and helped set up the South African Consciousness Organisation, and Black Communities Programmes.He called all non-whites 'black', and believed they could become a strong force against apartheid without the help of white liberals.

First they needed to develop pride in their identity by becoming independent of whites by self-help and by studying their own history and culture. Steve Biko's ideas inspired ever increasing numbers of black school children and students to rebel and protest against apartheid.He was killed in 1977 after sustaining head injuries whilst being detained for interrogation by the police.The fourth anti-apartheid group listed is the Inkhata Party (Inkatha ya Kwazulu). The Inkhata Party was formed in 1975 with these four aims:* Freedom from domination by white culture;* An end to racial discrimination;* A self-governing Zulu nation;* A power-sharing government for the whole of South Africa elected by the majority of the people.Its prominent leader was Chief Buthelezi.

Its major demonstrations include:* Increase in violence between the ANC and Zulus during the 1990s.The ANC accused the government of giving weapons to the Zulus to encourage this.Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi was born in 1928.Chief Buthelezi was related to the Zulu royal family. He went to Fort Hare University with Sobukwe and became friends with Albert Lutuli, and was a member of the ANC Youth League. Unlike Lutuli, he decided to co-operate with the government on the creation of Bantustan Homelands in 1951.

Buthelezi was rewarded for his co-operation by being made chief of the Buthelezi tribe by the government. They also protected him from his brother, who challenged Buthelezi's right to be chief.Even though he did co-operate with the government, he rejected complete independence for KwaZulu, demanded the release of Nelson Mandela and other prisoners, and opposed apartheid.He created Inkatha ya KwaZulu in March 1875 with the four aims listed above.

Buthelezi had the added advantage of having the KwaZulu government circulate Inkatha propaganda free of charge, and soon after 'Inkatha studies' was made a part of the school curriculum to "strengthen a sense of Zulu identity".The fourth anti-apartheid group listed is the UDF (the United Democratic Front). The UDF was formed in 1983, and followed the aims of the Freedom Charter.It also opposed elections to new community councils in 1983 and new Parliament in 1984, which still excluded black people.

Its prominent leader was Albertina Sisulu.Its major demonstrations include:* 1984 - Involvement in a major rebellion in the townships of the Vaal triangle which spread throughout 1985The groups listed above all wanted everyone to have the right to vote. They also wanted a fair and more equal society, as well as supporting Nelson Mandela's release from prison. The ANC and UDF supported the Freedom Charter.However, different ideals, aims and beliefs caused conflict - which was encouraged by the government.

The ANC wanted a multi racial government, economic sanctions and supported the Freedom Charter. This caused conflict with the PAC who wanted a black government, and Inkatha, who opposed the sanctions and wanted to work with white businesses.The ANC was also criticized by Inkatha because of its guerrilla attacks, and the ANC in turn criticized Inkatha's leader Buthelezi for his willingness to work with white businesses.Conflicts continued all the way until the end of apartheid, aided by the government - and its alleged lending of weapons to the PAC for fighting against other parties.