African National Congress Youth League

Also known as: ANCYL

Details

Organization Timeline

The ANC Youth League is founded

📅 2 April 1944

A younger generation formed the Youth League to press the ANC toward mass action and African nationalism. Its founders included Anton Lembede, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo.

The ANC adopts the Programme of Action

📅 17 December 1949

The programme called for boycotts, strikes, civil disobedience and non-cooperation. It marked a shift from petitions toward mass mobilization against white minority rule.