ABSTRACT
The reason for the increased presence of the African National Congress in South Africa lies in its legal absence. The more the Pretoria government criminalises the Congress movement, the more its symbolic appeal spreads. Since the renewed internal protest in 1984, the African National Congress (ANC) has achieved its most spectacular success so far in the diplomatic arena in winning the battle for being seen as representative of the bulk of South Africans in most Western countries. The subsequent politicisation and mobilisation of street committees has undoubtedly expanded the potential for a rudimentary insurgent infrastructure. With time and experience, the military resistance will become ever more professional. Within the ANC, as within the youth opposition inside South Africa, two principal attitudes towards the armed struggle vie for recognition. Neither of these doubt the need for armed intervention, but debate only its size, targets, ultimate cost and impact.
