Northern Rhodesian African National Congress was a
political party in
Zambia. It was formed in 1948, as the
Northern Rhodesia Congress (NRC), and Godwin Lewanika, a
Barotseland native from an
aristocratic background, became the first president.
"Northern Rhodesia", Northern-rhodesia.co.tv, 2011, web:
.
"Northern Rhodesia Congress", Britannica.com, 2011, web:
.
It was the first African political party in the country. NRC had its roots in the
Federation of Welfare Societies, during 1942-1946.
In 1951, the party adopted the name 'Northern Rhodesian African National Congress' under the presidency of Harry Nkumbula. It was linked to the
African National Congress in
South Africa. In 1953
Kenneth Kaunda became the general secretary of the organization.
In 1958 the party was divided on whether to participate in the legislative elections, in which only a minority of the black population was allowed to vote. The more radical Kaunda broke away, and formed the
Zambian African National Congress.
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