M y concerns in this chapter are twofold. The first is to sketch the form ation o f SA N SC O in late 1979. The second is to analyse SA N SC O 's ideology and politics. W ith respect to the latter, I show how SA N SC O initially adopted the doctrine o f Black Consciousness (BC) and sought to essentially continue the tradition established by SA SO . Thereafter, I track its shift away from BC and its re­ orientation towards the Congress movem ent, and also account for this developm ent which was formalised by SA N SC O 's first national congress in July 1981. Finally, I describe and analyse the themes, beliefs, views and approaches that constituted SA N SC O ideologically and politically.