Mandela took Xuma's place on the ANC national executive in March 1950,[70] and that same year was elected national president of the ANCYL.[71] In March, the Defend Free Speech Convention was held in Johannesburg, bringing together African, Indian, and communist activists to call a May Day general strike in protest against apartheid and white minority rule.
UMandela wathatha isikhundla sikaXuma kwisigungu sikazwelonke se-ANC ngoMashi ka-1950,[70] kanti ngawo lowo nyaka wakhethwa ukuba ngumongameli wophiki lwabasha i-ANCYL.[71] NgoMashi, kwabanjwa ingqungquthela enkulu eyayibizwa iDefend Free Speech Convention eJohannesburg, eyahlanganisa ama-Afrika, AmaNdiya, kanye nezishoshovu nezishukumi zamakhomanisi ukwenza isimemezelo sesiteleka sikaMeyi se-May Day ukubhikisha ukulwa nenqubo yobandlululo kanye nombuso wedlanzana labamhlophe.