Yusuf Dadoo - Exile and Party Chairmanship

Exile and Party Chairmanship

In 1960 the Sharpeville Massacre prompted the government to declare a state of national emergency and issue warrants for the arrest of most known leaders of protest organisations. Yusuf evaded arrest and operated underground for several months, until the SACP, in consultation with the SAIC, decided to smuggle him out of the country to act as an international spokesperson for the struggle. Yusuf disagreed strongly, but was overruled, and finally agreed to go into exile in London.

In 1972, the then-chairman of the SACP, John Beaver Marks, died, and Yusuf was unanimously elected in his place. He continued in this role, as chairman in exile, until his death.

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