The African National Congress (ANC) has been the ruling political party in South Africa since the dismantling of apartheid in 1994. The ANC was founded in 1912, in emulation of the Indian National Congress. In 1961 a paramilitary organisation, Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation) was founded by the ANC to further its aims by acts of violence. It is allied to the South African Communist Party and a member of the Socialist International.
It's most famous members - past or present - are Chief Albert Luthuli and President Nelson Mandela, both of whom have won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Its current chairman is Jacob Zuma, who is also the president of South Africa.