The Joint Declaration of Cooperation ("Three Doctors’ Pact") is signed

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Sixty-five years ago (1947-2012) the Joint Declaration of Cooperation known as “Three Doctors’ Pact” was signed by three doctors, Dr. A.B. Xuma, president of the African National Congress (ANC); Dr. G.M. Naicker, president of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and Dr. Y.M. Dadoo, president of the Transvaal Indian Congress. This was done in the recognition that all 'non-Europeans' should unite in the struggle against the National Party government and it's segregationist policies. This agreement was a forerunner to the Congress of the People, which drafted the Freedom Charter in 1955.

How we know this

01South African History Online ‘1947-Joint Declaration of Cooperation’,from SAHO [online], Available at: www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed: 17 February 2012]
02The University of KwaZulu Natal, ‘The Dadoo-Xuma-Naicker Pact’ from SAHO [online]. Available at: scnc.ukzn.ac.za[Accessed: 17 February 2012]
03South African Communist Party, ‘Three Doctors’ Pact, March 9, 1947’, from SAHO [online], Available at www.sacp.org.za[Accessed: 17 February 2012]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). The Joint Declaration of Cooperation ("Three Doctors’ Pact") is signed. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011697

South African History Online (2011) 'The Joint Declaration of Cooperation ("Three Doctors’ Pact") is signed', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011697 (Accessed: 8 November 2026).

South African History Online, The Joint Declaration of Cooperation ("Three Doctors’ Pact") is signed [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011697, (accessed 8 November 2026).

"The Joint Declaration of Cooperation ("Three Doctors’ Pact") is signed." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011697. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

South African History Online. "The Joint Declaration of Cooperation ("Three Doctors’ Pact") is signed." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011697.