The Pan Africanist

Congress (PAC)

Keywords:
Robert Sobukwe
The Freedom
Charter
Africanist future
Left-wing
Poqo

Background

What? : a South African Black Nationalist movement that became a

left-wing political party, pursuing Africanist policies.

Who? : A group of previous African National League (ANC)

members , led by Robert Sobukwe.

When? : From April 1959-2011

Where? : Johannesburg

Why? : They objected to the Freedom Charter which lead to them

breaking away from the ANC and forming the Pan Africanist
Congress to promote their pro-African views.

The Freedom Charter

Who? : Consisted of the African National Congress(ANC) and its allies.
It is characterized by its opening demands :The People Shall Govern!
What? : The ANC sent out 50,000 volunteers to collect "freedom demands"
from the people of South Africa. This system was designed to give all South
Africans equal rights. Demands such as "Free and compulsory education,
irrespective of colour, race or nationality" made the document.
Why? : This lead the PAC members to leave the ANC after the Freedom
Charter was adopted and formally launch the Pan Africanist Congress on
April 6th 1959.
When? : 1955
Where? : Townships and country sides in South Africa.

Born : 5
December 1924
in Cape
Province.
Came from a
poor household
and was locally
educated.
Died : February
27, 1978 (aged
53) in
Kimberley and
died of lung
cancer a year

Robert
Sobukwe

Elected the first

president of the
Pan Africanist
Congress.
Strongly believed in
an Africanist
future.
Believed black
Africans should
liberate
themselves
without the help of
non-Africans.
His strong
convictions and
active resistance
meant that he
inspired many

How they differed from the African

National League (ANC)
They thought that non-Africans were gaining too
much influence in the Congress Movement.
Unwilling to give equal rights to all races.
They followed the idea that the South African
government should be constituted by African
people owing their allegiance to Africa only.
Complete independence and freedom implied return
of land to Africans while the Freedom Charter
was concerned for civil rights for all.
More confrontational direct action.

First methods of opposition

Originally advocated strikes and boycotts.
For example, on March 21st 1960, the PAC
organised a nationwide one-day protest
against apartheid laws that required blacks
to show their passes.
As a result, Sobukwe was arrested and
imprisoned until his death and caused the police
to eventually ban the party on April 8th 1960.

Poqo (pure)

Similar to the ANC, in the 1960s they moved underground and

established an external base in Tanzania after the banning.

Their aims were to overrule white South Africa by violence.

It was largely unsuccessful and was disbanded due to government

pressure and the harsh behaviour.

During the banning, this lead to many quarrels between the PAC
leaders and they failed to gain widespread international support,
resulting in a dramatic decline in support for the group. There were
many leaders after that and after they were unbanned, but they were all
either expelled, quarrelled with other leaders, became leaders for a
short time, or died in office.