The Role of the PAC in Shaping Anti-Apartheid Resistance, 1950s-1960s

The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) played a significant role in shaping the nature of resistance to apartheid in the 1950s and 1960s, particularly through its actions and the events that unfolded as a result of their strategies. The PAC broke away from the African National Congress (ANC) in 1959 under the leadership of Robert Sobukwe, as they disagreed with the ANC's approach and ideologies. The PAC did not support the ANC's Freedom Charter and believed that black South Africans should work independently to achieve their rights.

One of the most notable actions taken by the PAC was the 1960 campaign against the Pass Laws, a system of segregation and control that restricted the movement of black South Africans. The PAC encouraged black South Africans to leave their pass books at home and gather outside police stations in a peaceful protest. However, the events that unfolded in Sharpeville on March 21, 1960, changed the course of resistance to apartheid.

During the Sharpeville protest, police opened fire on the crowd, resulting in the deaths of 35 people and the wounding of 186 others. The government's harsh response to the protest led to a state of emergency being declared, under the Public Safety Act of 1953. This marked a turning point in the resistance movement, as the ANC and PAC were both banned, forcing the PAC underground and leading to the creation of a militant wing known as Poqo, which adopted violent resistance tactics.

The violent turn taken by the PAC and other resistance movements, such as Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) – the armed wing of the ANC, prompted the government to pass even more stringent laws to suppress dissent. The General Laws Amendment Act of 1963 allowed for the detention of individuals for up to 90 days without charge and without access to a lawyer, further increasing state repression.

Despite the significant impact of the PAC on the resistance movement, it is also important to acknowledge the role of other organizations and individuals in the fight against apartheid. The actions of the ANC and its Youth League, led by figures such as Nelson Mandela, played a crucial role in shaping the resistance movement. The ANC's various campaigns and strategies, such as the Programme of Action and the Defiance Campaign, led to further crackdowns by the government, including the introduction of repressive laws like the Suppression of Communism Act and the Riotous Assemblies Act.

Additionally, the role of organizations like the Black Sash in opposing Pass Laws and the actions of key figures like Hendrik Verwoerd in strengthening security measures in South Africa cannot be understated. Verwoerd's establishment of the Bureau of State Security (BOSS) and the passing of laws like the Terrorism Act further solidified state control and repression.

In conclusion, while the PAC played a crucial role in determining the nature of resistance to apartheid in the 1950s and 1960s, it is clear that the broader resistance movement involved multiple actors and organizations. The actions of the PAC, alongside those of the ANC, other opposition groups, and individuals, collectively contributed to challenging the oppressive apartheid regime and paving the way for the eventual dismantling of segregation in South Africa.