After being banned in 1960 by the South African Government, The ANC (African National Congress) was legalized on February 2nd, 1990.

The ANC in South Africa was founded in 1912 with the primary goal of advocating for the rights of the country's black population, particularly in the face of oppressive racial policies. Throughout its history, the ANC played a crucial role in the struggle against apartheid.

After the Sharpeville Massacre occurred in 1960, where police opened fire on a peaceful anti-passbook protest, the apartheid government declared a state of emergency, arrested thousands of anti-apartheid activists, and banned several political organizations, including the ANC.

The ANC's ban forced it to operate underground, and many of its leaders, including Nelson Mandela, were arrested and imprisoned which lead to Winnie Mandela stepping up in their absence. The ANC's path to legitimacy began with the gradual dismantling of apartheid in the late 1980s. As international pressure intensified and internal resistance grew, the South African government made the move to legalize The ANC in 1990, leading to the release of Nelson Mandela from prison 9 days later.

Subsequent negotiations led to the first democratic elections in 1994, where the ANC emerged as the victor, and Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first black president, marking the official end of apartheid and the ANC's transformation from a banned liberation movement to a legitimate political party.

Nelson Mandela changed the world. Roots of Fight honors the great Madiba as part of our Black History Tribute. Shop the full Nelson Mandela collection below.