Who founded the ANC Youth League? The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) is a part of the African National Congress for younger people. It was founded in 1944 by Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu. They created the foundation to put an end to apartheid in Africa. The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) was established on 2 April 1944, by Anton Lambede (who became the League’s first President), Nelson Mandela, Ashby Mda, Walter Sisulu, and Oliver Tambo. They were joined by, Duma Nokwe, B Masekela, Ida Mtwa, Lillian Ngoyi, James Njongweni, William Nkomo, and Dan Tloome. The aim of the Youth League was to galvanize the youth to step up the fight against segregation within the country. At the time the ANCYL was established, political circumstances in South Africa were tenuous as the ruling United Party was divided about South Africa’s participation in World War II. Four years after the establishment of the Youth League, the United Party’s rule came to an end and the country was subsequently governed by the National Party. Spurred on by these young men the ANC became more militant, particularly after 1948 when the National Party* (NP) was voted into power by the white electorate and began implementing strict apartheid measures. In 1949 the Youth League was able to put pressure on the ANC leadership to adopt the Programme of Action which included mass resistance tactics such as boycotts, strikes, and civil disobedience. Following this, again with Youth League prodding, the ANC launched a Defiance Campaign* in 1952 which boosted country-wide membership and mapped the way ahead for the liberation struggle, leading to the adoption of a Freedom Charter* in 1956. Members of the Youth League were prominent in the ANC-dominated Congress Alliance,* uniting anti-apartheid resistance across the board. In the early 1990s Peter Mokaba, the ANCYL president, played an active role in deliberations.