Josiah Gumede

South African leader

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June 29, 2026

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Josiah Gumede was a significant figure in South African politics, serving as the president of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1927 to 1930. During his leadership, Gumede's political views shifted towards the left, advocating for closer cooperation with the Communist Party of South Africa. This ideological alignment led to a split within the ANC in 1930, with more moderate members expelling those with more radical views. The period of his presidency also saw "native policy" become a central issue in white electoral politics, with Afrikaner nationalists using rhetoric about a "Black peril" and "communist menace".1

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South Africa
The Pact years (1924–33)
…ANC occurred most prominently with Josiah Gumede (president 1927–30), whose political views moved leftward in the late 1920s. This led to a split in the ANC in 1930 as the more moderate members expelled the more radical ones.
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…ANC occurred most prominently with Josiah Gumede (president 1927–30), whose political views moved leftward in the late 1920s. This led to a split in the ANC in 1930 as the more moderate members expelled the more radical ones.
Read More