Lost Opportunities': The African National Congress of South Africa (ANC-SA)'s Evolving Relationship with the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) in Exile, 1970-1979

Abstract

An under-researched dimension of the exile politics of the African National Congress of South Africa (ANC-SA) revolves around how they reacted to the rising Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) during the 1970s. While much has been written about the ANC-SA's relationship with the Pan African Congress (PAC), similar attention has not been given to how the ANC-SA reacted to BCM's rise outside South Africa. From what has been written, the dominant narrative argues BCM was not a serious threat and that despite some early tensions was eventually absorbed into ANC-SA structures. This hegemonic narrative continues by arguing those who refused to be absorbed constituted a 'Third Force' that was being supported by international elements unfriendly to the ANC-SA. Both components of this dominant narrative downplay the real anxieties felt by the ANC-SA in exile concerning its own ineffectiveness in the early 1970s. At this time global recognition was not assured as BCM's growing influence...