SUMMARY

The supporters of AZAPO (Azanian People’s Organisation) were members of AZAPO, a political organisation formed in 1978. AZAPO originated from the idea of the Black Consciousness movement, a philosophy to which its supporters also adhered. The Black Conscious movement, just as many other political parties and groups in South Africa wanted to end Apartheid and transform the system in South Africa. Yet, their main goal was to change the mindset of the black people. Thus, black people had to believe in the value of their own blackness, in order to change South African society. Key issues were the creation of political awareness among black workers and their mobilization an educational system that would incorporate Black Consciousness philosophy and a fair distribution of wealth and power among all people of South Africa.

The supporters of AZAPO are informally organised, and usually organised themselves around an issue that was important in their communities. These issues were always related to the Black Consciousness philosophy, and thus often revolved around empowerment of black people. Issues of importance were for instance schools and their curriculums and business owners and their policies.

The supporters of AZAPO found their leader in the leadership of AZAPO. Yet, often the leadership of AZAPO did not support their violent activities. This leadership structure is organised on democratic terms; numerous presidents have been elected during its existence. The first president, elected in 1979 was Curtis Nkondo, who had previously been chairman of the Soweto Teachers’ Action Committee. In March 2010, Jacob Koti Dikobo was elected president by the AZAPO congress. He had multiple positions within the organization prior to his presidency.

While AZAPO finds its main base of support within the black intellectual and academic circles, its informally organised supporters are often township inhabitants whom identify themselves with the Black Consciousness philosophy.

Supporters of AZAPO have been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.