Background
He was born in Thaba Nchu, Orange Free State in South Africa his parents were farmers.
He was born in Thaba Nchu, Orange Free State in South Africa his parents were farmers.
He studied in Morija Mission Institute to became a teacher but quit it and became an interpreter in courts.Later he quit and joined the Lessyton Theological school.
He was also a Methodist pastor. He was very religious. He was ordained a Methodist minister in 1914.
He was first sent to Bensonvale Parish and later Cape Town.
He began his political life in Cape Town and was elected the President of the South African Native National Council of Cape Province in 1919. He became the President of African National Congress again from 1937 to 1940.
He was made a Lifelong Honorary President of the African National Congress in 1943.
He was elected the President of the African National Congress from 1924 to 1927. He was opposed to communism and hence opposed J.T. Gumede.