History Pan Africanist Congress of Azania

the pac formally launched on 6 april 1959 @ orlando communal hall in soweto. number of african national congress (anc) members broke away because objected substitution of 1949 programme of action freedom charter adopted in 1955. further objected inclusion of other national groups such communist party of south africa. robert sobukwe elected first president, , potlako leballo secretary general.

on 21 march 1960, pac organised campaign against pass laws. people gathered in townships of sharpeville , langa sobukwe , other top leaders arrested , later convicted incitement. sobukwe sentenced 3 years , potlako leballo 2 years in prison. sobukwe died in kimberley, cape province, 1978 of lung cancer. after sharpeville massacre national party government banned both anc , pac on 8 april 1960. pac responded founding armed wing, azanian people s liberation army.