The evolution of the African National Congress in power: From revolutionaries to social democrats?

Abstract

This research on the African National Congress (ANC) is done in the context of the question of what happens when a revolutionary, rebel movement succeeds in taking state power. It is now 12 years since 1994, when, as the result of national elections negotiated with the former National Party (NP) rulers, the ANC took the reins of governmental power. The analysis will place the challenges of the ANC in the context of rebel movements in Latin America that have taken power. Several theoretical questions will be addressed. First, when a revolutionary movement gains power what are the terms of its arrival at power? Is the old order thoroughly defeated or does it retain power in certain sectors? Second, what is the international context of the transition? Does the revolutionary movement have powerful friends or enemies? Third, what is the level of unity within the revolutionary movement? Are there factions with different approaches to the construction of a new society? Fourth, how well does the revolutionary movement, forged in part in clandestine operations, transform itself to democratic norms? Fifth, does the revolutionary movement have sufficient expertise to manage state power? How willing is it to use professionals from the old system and by what means does it control them? Sixth, how flexible is the revolutionary movement in adjusting to a changed environment? Does it alter its ideological stance and if it does what are the dangers to the movement if it strays too far from its long-stated principles?

Notes

1. For Mandela's views on armed struggle, see Mandela (1965) and Meredith (1997).

2. Cuba's perspective on Latin American revolution is embodied in the February 1962 Second Declaration of Havana published in full in Kenner and Petros (1969). For an overview of Cuban foreign policy, see Prevost (1992) and Erisman (1985).

3. Che Guevara's message to the Tri-continental Conference is quoted at length in Matthews (1975). For specific commentary on Africa, see Matthews (2000).

4. A review of the key ANC documents from this time period reveals that as late as the 8 January 1989 document there is little change in the perspective that the armed struggle will triumph and that there can be no compromise with the apartheid system. The turning point is the 8 January 1990 document where one month prior to Mandela's release there is a paragraph entitled ‘Tactical Flexibility will be Needed’. Documents from this period can be viewed online at: 〈www.anc.org.za/historicaldocuments〉.

5. For documentation on the importance of the events at Cuito Cuanavale, see Luis (2001). For background on Cuba's overall role in Angola, see Gleijeses (2002).

6. Interviews with Thami Mkongi, Community Activist, Kwazakele, Former SACP member, 23 January 2005; Zanoxlo Waylie, COSATU official, Continental Tire Company, 4 February 2005; Michael Xego, Coordinator of Councillors, Port Elizabeth, 10 February 2005; Mlingsi (Lulu) Johnson, Member of National Parliament, 1 February 2005.

7. Interview with Xego (full citation in note 6 above).

8. Slovo, quoted in Radio South Africa, 20 November 1992.

9. Interview with Mkongi interview (full citation in note 6 above).

10. For a detailed analysis of the FSLN electoral defeat, see Castro and Prevost (1992).

11. Interviews with Mkongi, Xego (full citations in note 6 above).

12. Interviews with Mkongi, Xego, Johnson (full citations in note 6 above).

13. See also interview with Mkongi (full citation in note 6 above).

14. Interview with Janet Cherry, South African Human Sciences Research Council, Port Elizabeth, 23 February 2005.

15. Interview with Cherry (full citation in note 14 above).

16. Interview with Xego (full citation in note 6 above).

17. Interview with Xego (full citation in note 6 above).

18. Interviews with black business owners, Port Elizabeth, February 2005.

19. Interview with Xego (full citation in note 6 above).

20. For a discussion of the Third Way concept in South African politics, see De Bus and Koelble (2001) and Koelble (1999).

21. Interview with Johnson (full citation in note 6 above).

22. Observed in the offices of COSATU, Continental Tire Company, New Brighton, February 2005.

23. Interviews with Tobile Ntola, Regional Chairperson, SACP, Port Elizabeth, 24 January 2005; Irvin Jim, Regional Official, South African Metalworkers Union (NUMSA), Port Elizabeth, 16 February 2005, and Zanoxolo Wayile.

24. Interviews with Wayile and Jim (full citations in note 23 above).

25. Interviews with Wayile and Jim (full citations in note 23 above).

26. For extensive discussion of the idea of post-Washington Consensus in the context of South Africa, see Bond (2000).

27. This idea of South Africa moving from a Washington Consensus to a Beijing Consensus is discussed in Dawes (2005).

28. Interview with Ntola (full citation in note 23 above).

29. Interview with Wayile (full citation in note 23 above).

30. The results of the Kwazakele research are available in Cherry (2001), Buur and Cherry (2001), and Cherry (2004).

31. Interview with Vuyo Toto, Regional Secretary, ANC, Port Elizabeth, 19 February 2005.

32. ‘Hundreds Demonstrate at Council Meeting’, The Herald (Port Elizabeth), 22 January 2005.

33. ‘Prosecutions Contemplated for Council Protectors’, The Herald, 24 February 2005.

34. For additional writing on South African civil society, see Desai (2002).