20th century – 20th century
South Africa
Umkhonto we Sizwe, or “Spear of the Nation,” was an underground resistance organisation formed in 1961 and led by Nelson Mandela. It sought political change through selective sabotage against state installations and buildings. Its activities formed part of the broader armed struggle against apartheid and were heavily targeted by the security police.
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The Story
Umkhonto we Sizwe emerged in 1961, within a year of the banning of the two African congresses. Led by Nelson Mandela, who had been a Transvaal leader of the African National Congress, it was created to bring about political change through selective sabotage. Its stated targets were specific installations and buildings rather than indiscriminate violence.
Between December 1961 and the end of 1964, more than 200 acts of sabotage or attempted sabotage took place, primarily against state property. Police stations and railway lines were among the targets. The campaign represented a shift toward organised underground resistance after legal and public political activity had been severely restricted.
The security police were well organised and appear to have uncovered and crushed virtually all underground activity during this period. In 1963, the Umkhonto high command was captured on a farm at Rivonia outside Johannesburg. The arrests and subsequent trials removed many of the organisation’s leaders from the field, while underground resistance continued to involve South Africans from varied social, linguistic, religious, and occupational backgrounds.
20th century – 20th century
South Africa
Umkhonto we Sizwe, or “Spear of the Nation,” was an underground resistance organisation formed in 1961 and led by Nelson Mandela. It sought political change through selective sabotage against state installations and buildings. Its activities formed part of the broader armed struggle against apartheid and were heavily targeted by the security police.
Continue exploring
The Story
Umkhonto we Sizwe emerged in 1961, within a year of the banning of the two African congresses. Led by Nelson Mandela, who had been a Transvaal leader of the African National Congress, it was created to bring about political change through selective sabotage. Its stated targets were specific installations and buildings rather than indiscriminate violence.
Between December 1961 and the end of 1964, more than 200 acts of sabotage or attempted sabotage took place, primarily against state property. Police stations and railway lines were among the targets. The campaign represented a shift toward organised underground resistance after legal and public political activity had been severely restricted.
The security police were well organised and appear to have uncovered and crushed virtually all underground activity during this period. In 1963, the Umkhonto high command was captured on a farm at Rivonia outside Johannesburg. The arrests and subsequent trials removed many of the organisation’s leaders from the field, while underground resistance continued to involve South Africans from varied social, linguistic, religious, and occupational backgrounds.
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