‘An explosive exposé that is as timeous and relevant as
much as it may be discomforting to some.’ – Barney Pityana

The real history of ANC’s years in exile (1960-1990) remains shrouded in mystery. After the ANC was banned by the apartheid government, the rank and file of members in exile lived in camps in Tanzania and Angola.

Some events like the Rhodesian campaign of 1967-68 and the Kabwe conference of 1985 are well known, but lesser known are the intense factional struggles within the organisation, recurring prodemocracy protests, and the creation of a security apparatus that inspired widespread fear. Some networks within the exiled ANC became heavily involved in corruption, even colluding with elements of the apartheid security police and secret services.

This book aims to provide a full account of the ANC’s years in exile, penetrating the secrecy that the organisation erected around itself and testing the myths that emerged from that period. It is notable for using an exceptionally wide range of sources, including the many biographies and autobiographies by leaders of the struggle, numerous personal papers and the ANC’s own archives, but also foreign archives including those in East Germany, where the ANC’s security personnel were trained.

Anyone who wants to understand the ruling party and South Africa today should read this incisive historical analysis.