The South African Youth Congress (SAYCO) was launched in 1987, at the height of the State of Emergency. It brought under its banner the various local youth organisations that had sprung up all over the country. SAYCO became an important affiliate of the United Democratic Front (UDF) by representing a vast and militant constituency.

SAYCO was a unitary structure with organisations at a regional and local level. SAYCO National consisted of the national Office bearers, Head Office staff and various departments, e.g. Women, Labour or Pioneers. Peter Mokaba was the President and Rapu Molekane was the General Secretary.

After the unbanning of the ANC in 1990, SAYCO immediately began the process of re-establishing the ANC Youth League, together with the ANC Youth Section. The Provisional National Youth Committee was set up to oversee this process. SAYCO dissolved once the ANC Youth League was established.