On 8 January 2012 the African National Congress (ANC) celebrated its centenary. As part of the uKhongolose: ANC and South Africa’s Struggle for Freedom feature, SAHO started updating the presidential profiles of all the ANC presidents since its formation in 1912. This project continues to today.
Below is a list of all ANC office bearers since its founding in 1912 with each name linked to a biography.
This list is a work in progress, any omissions are unintentional. Please click on the contribute icon on this page if you would like to add a name or biography.
ANC Presidents from 1912 - present
| President | Period |
|---|---|
| John Langalibalele Dube | 1912 - 1917 |
| Sefako Mapogo Makgatho | 1917 - 1924 |
| Zaccheus Richard Mahabane | 1924 - 1927 |
| Josiah Gumede | 1927 - 1930 |
| Pixley ka Isaka Seme | 1930 - 1936 |
| Zaccheus Richard Mahabane | 1937 - 1940 |
| Dr. Alfred Bitini Xuma | 1940 - 1949 |
| James Moroka | 1949 - 1952 |
| Albert Luthuli | 1952 - 1967 |
| Oliver Tambo | 1967 - 1991 |
| Nelson Mandela | 1991 - 1997 |
| Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki | 1997 - 2007 |
| Jacob Zuma | 2007–present |
ANC Deputy Presidents from 1952 - present
| Deputy President | Period |
|---|---|
| Nelson Mandela | 1952 - 1958 |
| Oliver Tambo | 1958 - 1985 |
| Nelson Mandela | 1985 - 1991 |
| Walter Sisulu | 1991 - 1994 |
| Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki | 1994 - 1997 |
| Jacob Zuma | 1997 - 2007 |
| Kgalema Motlanthe | 2007–2009 |
| Cyril Ramaphosa | 2009–present |
ANC General Secretaries from 1912 - present
| General Secretary | Period |
|---|---|
| Sol Plaatje | 1912–1915 |
| Selope Thema | 1915–1917 |
| H. I. Bud M'belle | 1917–1919 |
| Saul Msane | 1919–1923 |
| T. D. Mweli Skota | 1923–1927 |
| E.J. Khaile | 1927–1930 |
| Elijah Mdolomba | 1930–1936 |
| James Arthur Calata | 1936–1949 |
| Walter Sisulu | 1949–1955 |
| Oliver Tambo | 1955–1958 |
| Duma Nokwe | 1958–1969 |
| Alfred Nzo | 1969–1991 |
| Cyril Ramaphosa | 1991–1997 |
| Kgalema Motlanthe | 1997–2007 |
| Gwede Mantashe | 2007–present |