Formation and Operations of Umkhonto we Sizwe (1961–1990)

1. Sharpeville massacre and political banning

   Mar 21, 1960Labels: Sharpeville

   • Britannica
   • Britannica MK

2. Umkhonto we Sizwe is formed

   Dec 16, 1961Labels: Umkhonto we

   • Britannica MK
   • ANC Manifesto

3. First sabotage actions and MK manifesto released

   Dec 16, 1961Labels: MK manifesto

   • ANC Manifesto
   • SAHO Sabotage
   • Oxford Past Present

4. ANC formally recognizes MK as its armed wing

   Oct 1, 1962Labels: African National

   • ANC History

5. Liliesleaf Farm raid disrupts MK leadership

   Jul 11, 1963Labels: Liliesleaf Farm

   • Rivonia Trial
   • UFS Article

6. Operation Mayibuye plan seized and debated

   Jul 11, 1963Labels: Operation Mayibuye

   • SAHO Archive
   • UFS Article

7. Rivonia Trial ends with life sentences

   Jun 12, 1964Labels: Rivonia Trial

   • Rivonia Trial

8. Wankie Campaign brings major military setback

   Aug 1, 1967Labels: Wankie Campaign

   • Operation Nickel
   • ANC History

9. Morogoro Conference restructures ANC–MK strategy

   Apr 25, 1969Labels: Morogoro Conference

   • Morogoro 1969
   • Morogoro Conf

10. Soweto uprising drives recruitment into MK

    Jun 16, 1976Labels: Soweto Uprising

    • Britannica Soweto
    • SAHO June 16

11. Kabwe Conference endorses intensified “people’s war”

    Jun 16, 1985Labels: Kabwe Conference

    • Kabwe 1985
    • OurConstitution

12. Operation Vula launched to rebuild underground capacity

    Jan 1, 1988Labels: Operation Vula

    • Operation Vula

13. ANC is unbanned, opening formal negotiations

    Feb 2, 1990Labels: ANC unbanned

    • OurConstitution
    • De Klerk Speech

14. Pretoria Minute suspends MK armed actions

    Aug 6, 1990Labels: Pretoria Minute

    • Mandela Fdn
    • Britannica MK