Description
The banning of the ANC and the SACP left them no other means of political expression but to fight. Examines the South African Communist Party and how it took over the leadership of the ANC between 1960 and 1990, during the time when both organisations were banned in South Africa and were forced to establish their headquarters in exile. It also concerns Umkhonto we Sizwe, the Spear of the Nation, the guerilla army set up jointly by both organisations under the overall command of Nelson Mandela. North America: Indiana U Press
Reviews
... extraordinary book ... extremely illuminating. Possibly the most original contribution in a decade to the literature on South African Politics ... Chris Hani, his role in the ANC's military command and his position in the Communist party are revealed for the first time. As he, and others in the movement, now emerge to take their places in the new order that is unfolding in South Africa, we owe to Stephen Ellis and Africa Confidential our first glimpses of the realities behind the myths. His sources come from within these organisations and are not attributable. They cannot be wholly relied upon, but until we have other, better accounts, they remain indispensable reading to anyone interested in contemporary South Africa. - -- Martin Plaut * AFRICAN AFFAIRS *
This book is, say its authors, an interim report. The scarcity of reliable information on the ANC and SACP over the past 30 years, they argue, makes it so. Their point is true enough. But their modesty is excessive. For, their book brings together and makes public much that is fresh - and doubtless much that will also be contested - about the Siamese twin-like ANC and SACP over the past 30 years in exile. - -- Howard Barrell * THE JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN AFRICAN STUDIES *
...makes understandable sense of many episodes which might have seemed inexplicable at the time they happened... * SOUTHERN AFRICAN REVIEW OF BOOKS *
...the most original contribution on the ANC and the SACP in exile... * CONFLICT QUARTERLY *
Book Information
ISBN 9780852553527
Author Stephen Ellis
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint James Currey
Publisher James Currey
Reviews
... extraordinary book ... extremely illuminating. Possibly the most original contribution in a decade to the literature on South African Politics ... Chris Hani, his role in the ANC's military command and his position in the Communist party are revealed for the first time. As he, and others in the movement, now emerge to take their places in the new order that is unfolding in South Africa, we owe to Stephen Ellis and Africa Confidential our first glimpses of the realities behind the myths. His sources come from within these organisations and are not attributable. They cannot be wholly relied upon, but until we have other, better accounts, they remain indispensable reading to anyone interested in contemporary South Africa. - -- Martin Plaut * AFRICAN AFFAIRS *
This book is, say its authors, an interim report. The scarcity of reliable information on the ANC and SACP over the past 30 years, they argue, makes it so. Their point is true enough. But their modesty is excessive. For, their book brings together and makes public much that is fresh - and doubtless much that will also be contested - about the Siamese twin-like ANC and SACP over the past 30 years in exile. - -- Howard Barrell * THE JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN AFRICAN STUDIES *
...makes understandable sense of many episodes which might have seemed inexplicable at the time they happened... * SOUTHERN AFRICAN REVIEW OF BOOKS *
...the most original contribution on the ANC and the SACP in exile... * CONFLICT QUARTERLY *
Book Information
ISBN 9780852553527
Author Stephen Ellis
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint James Currey
Publisher James Currey
