09/05/2026
✊ SANCOYC DAILY EDUCATION SERIES – DAY 20 - 09 May 2026 ✊
New Series | Topic 1 of 8: The Historical Roots of Civics (Why SANCO Exists)
Sub-topic: The Formation of SANCO in 1992 – Uniting Civic Associations into One National Movement
Source Reference: SANCO Branch Induction Manual, Page 5 & SANCO Constitution, Preamble and Clause 9
Comrades,
We have traced the journey from the Vaal Uprising of 1984, through the UDF, to the Defiance Campaign of 1989. Now we arrive at the birth of our organisation – the moment when local struggles across South Africa became one national civic movement.
From the SANCO Branch Induction Manual (Page 5):
"All civic associations at local level started talking about formation of a unitary structure. Most of the communities formed Civic Associations with a purpose of lobbying for reform and to protect communities from outside interference.
In the early 1990s the Civic Associations in the Southern Transvaal region came together to launch a regional structure known as Civic Association of the Southern Transvaal (CAST). Elected leadership included Khabisi Mosunkutu, Moses Mayekiso, Nomvula Mokonyane, Richard Mdakane, and the office was managed by the late Sam Ntuli elected as the Secretary and Sthembiso Radebe elected as an Organiser.
CAST spearheaded the formation of a national structure. A committee known as National Interim Civics Committee (NICC) was set up to speed the process. The UDF, ceasing its operations, handed their National Office to NICC National Secretary Sthembiso Radebe, who occupied the offices in Braamfontein coordinating NICC work until the launch of SANCO.
The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) was founded in March 1992 as an umbrella body for civic associations across South Africa."
IMPORTANT FACT CHECK:
Some internal manuals refer to “3,000 civic associations” and “6 million households,” but historical records of SANCO’s founding conference show that around 2,000 organisations were formally represented at the founding conference in March 1992. The broader figure of 3,000 refers to the wider civic network that existed nationally during that period.
This means SANCO united a massive national civic movement — but the more historically accurate figure for the founding conference itself is approximately 2,000 represented organisations.
WHY WAS A NATIONAL CIVIC STRUCTURE NECESSARY?
By the early 1990s, the political landscape had changed dramatically:
· Nelson Mandela was released in February 1990
· The ANC was unbanned
· Negotiations for a democratic South Africa had begun
But in the townships and villages, local civic associations were fighting daily battles that a political party could not fight alone:
· Rent increases forcing families onto the streets
· Lack of housing leaving generations in shacks
· No electricity while white suburbs had streetlights
· Corrupt councillors enriching themselves
· Vigilante violence ignored by police
These local struggles needed national coordination.
A rent boycott in Soweto could support a rent boycott in Port Elizabeth — but only if there was a structure to connect them.
That structure became SANCO.
From the SANCO Branch Induction Manual (Page 5):
"SANCO plays a vital role in the communication between the different levels of Government and of civil society. This involves both the delivery process and accountability from both directions."
THE GAP THAT SANCO FILLED:
When the UDF ceased operations after the unbanning of the ANC and political organisations, there was a gap in the organisational landscape.
The UDF had been a political umbrella focused on defeating apartheid.
But who would organise around:
· Housing waiting lists that never moved?
· Water cuts lasting weeks?
· Electricity disconnections without warning?
· Roads destroying vehicles?
· Sanitation failures spreading disease?
The answer was SANCO.
From the SANCO Constitution – PREAMBLE:
"We, the South African National Civic Organization (SANCO), pledge our commitment to a unified, democratic, non-sexist, non-racist, non-exploitative South Africa… founded on the basic needs, aspirations and expectations of the masses of the people. The guiding motto is 'People-Centred and People-Driven.'"
SANCO was not created to replace the ANC.
SANCO was created to complement the ANC.
The ANC would lead the political transition.
SANCO would organise communities to ensure that freedom reached daily life — and to hold government accountable where it failed.
THE THREE PILLARS OF SANCO’S FOUNDATION:
1. Unitary Structure
Local civic associations, once fragmented by region and struggle, united under one national constitution and one mission.
2. People-Centred
Driven by the needs, aspirations, and expectations of ordinary residents — not by elites or private interests.
3. People-Driven
Not waiting for government to solve problems, but acting through branches, street committees, zones, regions, and provinces.
THE CAST AND NICC STORY:
Before SANCO could be born, civics in the Southern Transvaal had to prove unity was possible.
They formed CAST — Civic Association of the Southern Transvaal.
It became the model for national civic unity.
Key leaders included:
· Khabisi Mosunkutu
· Moses Mayekiso
· Nomvula Mokonyane
· Richard Mdakane
· Sam Ntuli
· Sthembiso Radebe
CAST proved civic unity could work.
Then came the National Interim Civics Committee (NICC), which expanded that model nationally.
The UDF handed its Braamfontein national office to NICC, and Sthembiso Radebe coordinated the work from there until SANCO was launched in March 1992.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR BRANCH TODAY:
Your branch is not an island.
You are part of a national movement.
From the SANCO Constitution (Clause 9 – Composition of SANCO):
"The organisational structure of SANCO shall be subdivided into provinces, regions, zones, branches and areas, which shall be answerable to the National Executive Committee."
Your branch is part of a national chain of organisation and accountability.
You are not alone.
You are part of a national civic force.
THE CHALLENGE THAT REMAINS – 34 YEARS LATER:
Political freedom came in 1994.
But economic freedom remains incomplete.
· Land ownership remains unequal
· Wealth remains concentrated
· Townships still lack services
· Youth unemployment remains severe
· Homelessness remains a crisis
SANCO was founded to fight for Democratic Social Transformation — not only the right to vote, but the right to live with dignity.
Not just a flag — but a house.
Not just a constitution — but a living wage.
THE QUESTION FOR EVERY BRANCH TODAY:
Are we still fighting for the same things our founders fought for in 1992?
If yes, then SANCO has not passed its sell-by date.
It is more necessary now than ever.
Practical Task for Your Branch This Week:
1. Research your local civic history
Ask older residents which civic associations existed before 1992 and what they achieved.
2. Know your chain of command
Do you know your Regional Secretary? Provincial Chairperson? Last Provincial General Council date?
3. Connect with another branch
Speak to a branch in another province and compare service delivery struggles.
4. Discuss at your next BEC
Does your branch act like an island, or like part of a national movement?
Question for every SANCOYC member:
Do you know the names of your Provincial Chairperson and Regional Secretary?
Comment below with your Branch name +
“Yes, I know them”
or
“No, I will find out this week”
Because a soldier must know the chain of command, and a branch must know its place in the national movement.
Thousands of civics became one organisation in 1992.
Millions of households still depend on civic leadership today.
You are building people’s power.
People-Centred. People-Driven.
T Matlou | Head of Education & Media/Publicity
SANCOYC WARD 31 LENYENYE
K Sehloane | Branch Coordinator
SANCOYC WARD 31 LENYENYE
R Mashai | Branch Convenor
SANCOYC WARD 31 LENYENYE