The armed struggle was initiated by the African National Congress (ANC) and other liberation movements in the 1960s as a response to the violent suppression of peaceful protests and the oppressive nature of the apartheid system. The goal of the armed struggle was to overthrow the apartheid government and establish a non-racial, democratic society.
The armed struggle included various tactics such as guerrilla warfare, sabotage, and bombings, mainly carried out by the military wings of the liberation movements, including Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the armed wing of the ANC.
The armed struggle was effective to some extent in mobilizing international support for the anti-apartheid cause, as well as raising awareness of the brutalities of the apartheid regime. It also contributed to the creation of a climate of ungovernability, making the apartheid system difficult to sustain.
However, the armed struggle also had its challenges and costs, including the loss of lives and significant human rights abuses by some liberation movements. It also led to increased repression by the apartheid regime and a cycle of violence.