Albert Luthuli

Many myths assert that Chief Albert Luthuli, former President of the African National Congress (ANC), launched the armed struggle on his return to South Africa after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. This misinterpretation sparks what is arguably one of the most relevant and controversial historical debates in South Africa. In what is the first substantive biography of Luthuli, Scott Couper challenges a nationalist-inspired perspective and argues that the iconic leader did not countenance the initiation of violence in December 1961. Luthuli's ecclesiastical tradition, Congregationalism, imbedded within him the primacy of democracy, education, sacrificial service, multiracialism and egalitarianism, propelling him to the heights of political leadership. These same attributes rendered Luthuli obsolete as a political leader within an increasingly radicalised, desperate and violent environment. By not supporting the ANC's armed movement, his political career proved to be `bound by faith'. `This impassioned and provocative account locates Luthuli as a man of uncompromising Christian faith and principle who has been woefully---and perhaps wilfully---misinterpreted in ANC historiography. Couper produces a considerable body of fresh evidence to support his view that Luthuli was never persuaded of the moral or strategic imperative to abandon non-violence in favour of the armed struggle.'---Saul Dubow, Professor of History. Sussex University, UK