The ANC originally attempted to use non-violent protests to end apartheid ; however , the Sharpeville massacre in March 1960 , in which 69 black Africans were shot and killed by police and hundreds wounded during a peaceful protest , contributed to deteriorating relations with the South African government . On 8 April 1960 , the administration of Charles Robberts Swart banned the ANC in South Africa . After the ban , the ANC formed the Umkhonto we Sizwe ( Spear of the Nation ) to fight against apartheid utilising guerrilla warfare and sabotage
Sharpeville massacre
Sharpeville massacre
African National Congress