A Moment of Unity and Renewal: The Morogoro Conference Revisited
On 25 April 1969, speaking at a conference hall of more than seventy people, in Morogoro, Tanzania, Acting President of the African National Congress (ANC), Oliver Tambo, mentioned that in the past, too much emphasis was placed on international solidarity work, which was perhaps a legacy of the initial role of the ANC’s External Mission. It was not that solidarity work was not necessary, but it also needed to be placed in proper perspective. Therefore, incorrect methods of work and chaotic organisation were the main factors hampering the movement.
According to Oliver Tambo, several developments made the current conference different from its previous ones. Amongst these was the death of Albert Luthuli, the President-General of the Movement; the recommencement of the armed struggle ‘in 1967’ with the Wankie and Sipolilo Campaigns; the increased repression of the people by the fascist oppressors; and organisational problems arising from the commencement of guerrilla warfare. The last, in Tambo’s assessment, was the most critical problem facing the Movement.
For Tambo, the ANC had to cast its eyes south and be prepared to go and wage the struggle at home. “There was sometimes a feeling that far too much emphasis was devoted to ‘training, training, training’, with the consequence that like the Zulu warrior Gumede, who was forever sharpening his spear, we might wear out our spear in the process:
