Paarl Uprising 1962

Growing up in Mbekweni I got used to being associated with the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC/Poqo) when visiting other townships. This is because Paarl has been viewed as a PAC stronghold since the 1962 Paarl uprising that was led by that organisation.

The history of the PAC struggles can not be told without mentioning Paarl 1962. That was when a mass uprising consisting of hundreds of men took place. They marched in the morning of November 22 from Mbekweni and Langabuya to town with the intent of attacking the police station and prison. The Late Minister of Justice in the ANC led government Dullar Omar recalled this event when accepting an award for Human Rights in 2004. Omar who, in 1963, was one of the lawyers who were to defend the men recalled that: “ The PAC was particularly active in Paarl. Suddenly hardly without any notice the so-called Paarl riots (the Poqo uprising) exploded on the South African scene. These poor migrant workers had had enough. They marched through Paarl in large numbers. In the process 2 or 3 people were killed. Hundreds were arrested. About 125 persons eventually faced charges in court. While they were in prison awaiting trial, the so-called sabotage law was passed and made applicable with retrospective effect.”

Menziwa Tsholobe is quoted in the book “The Road to Democracy in South Africa volume 1” as saying “At Paarl during that time the only organisation that was there was Poqo, Poqo, Poqo”. Although this could be a bit exaggerated it does not belie the huge role the PAC played in the Paarl politics.

In his book “Are you with us: the story of a PAC activist” Andile Mgxashe reminds us that almost twenty PAC members were hanged for the “Paarl skirmishes”. Some were hanged in 1963 and others in 1967 whilst serving long sentences on Robben Island. Those hanged in 1963 were Fezile Jaza, Lennox Madikane, Thembile Nyovu, Johannes Notyawe, Fanele Matikinca and Jonathan Sogwagwa. Edward Sikhundla, Jabavu Mzondi, Gqibile Hans, Baden Koboka Mcdonald Mgweba, Magqadaza Magushe, Goduka Galem, Livingstone Fatyela, Wellington Tyobeka, Nkosencinci Maseti, Mthetheleli Ntuli and Leornard Zambodla were hanged in 1967. These men should be held in high esteem by anyone who was serious about ending apartheid brutalities. Their commitment and preparedness to lay down their lives to free Africans must be commended. If you are from Paarl you should be disgusted by the fact that nothing honour them and their sacrifice. We have an intellectual responsibility to resist the temptation of a history that reflects the role of only the victors or we risk changing history books every time a new political Party comes into power. We need to acknowledge the leading role of the ANC in the South African liberation struggle without belittling the contribution of others.

The PAC did have a presence in Paarl even as I was growing up. A lot of political debates were between adherents of the Africanist tradition (PAC) and those who believed in the Freedom Charter (ANC linked). I have recently observed that the PAC in Mbekweni is currently engaging in programs of revitalisation amongst the youth through a number of activities. I have also seen this revitalization at universities in this province. The PAC aligned students continue to be a force to be reckoned with in student politics, especially in Student Representative Councils (SRCs). 

Unfortunately for the local revivalists the PAC is self destructing at national level. There continues to be two national leadership structures that both claim to be the “real” PAC.  Almost fify fourty  years since the brave men from Paarl left their families in the quest of freedom inspired by an Africanist message their Party has been reduced to an insignificant grouping. Still, regardless of the current strength of organisations that once mobilized and led liberatory campaigns, we should not bury the memory of liberation heroes.