A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Magister Artium in National Strategy in the Faculty of Arts at the Rand Afrikaans University.This dissertation investigates theoretical aspects of the mobilisational of the African National Congress and its surrogate organisations within the context of the development of their strategic doctrine and utilises the townships of Port Alfred and Cradock as examples. The study focuses on the mechanisms utilised by the African National Congress to mobilise support for its programme during the period 1980-1988.