PAC President Calls for Unity: A Step Towards a Stronger Azania
In a recent interview, President of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), Mzwanele Nyhontso, expressed his belief that his party and the Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO) need to come closer together in order to achieve their common goals. As the two oldest liberation movements in South Africa, it is time for them to set aside their differences and unite for the greater good of Azania.
Nyhontso, who was elected as the new president of the PAC in 2019, has been vocal about his desire to rebuild the party and strengthen its position in the country’s political landscape. He believes that a key step towards achieving this is by working together with AZAPO, a party that shares similar values and ideals with the PAC.
“The PAC and AZAPO have a long history of fighting against the injustices of apartheid and for the liberation of our people. It is time for us to come together and build on that shared history,” Nyhontso stated. He emphasized that the two parties need to put their differences aside and focus on their common ground. “We may have our disagreements but we must remember that our ultimate goal is a united, free and prosperous Azania,” he added.
The PAC and AZAPO both emerged during the struggle against apartheid, with the PAC being formed in 1959 and AZAPO in 1978. Both parties advocated for the self-determination of the African people, and were committed to the Pan-Africanist ideology of unity, self-reliance, and self-determination. Despite their similarities, the two parties have not always seen eye to eye, with ideological differences causing divisions in the past.
However, Nyhontso believes that it is time to move past these differences and work towards a common goal. “The current political landscape in South Africa is challenging, and we need to join forces in order to bring about real change. We cannot continue to be divided and expect to make a meaningful impact,” he stressed.
The PAC president also highlighted the need for a strong, united front in the face of ongoing challenges such as land expropriation, economic inequality, and the legacy of colonialism. “These issues affect all Africans, regardless of which party we belong to. It is only by working together that we can truly address them and bring about the change we want to see,” he explained.
The call for unity has been welcomed by AZAPO, with the party’s spokesperson, Funani ka Ntontela, expressing their willingness to engage in talks with the PAC. “We are open to discussions with any progressive forces that share our vision for a united Azania. We have a long history of working together with the PAC, and we believe that we can achieve much more by collaborating,” he stated.
The sentiment of coming together has also been echoed by other political parties. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have expressed their support for a unified front of Pan-Africanist parties. “We have always advocated for unity among African-centered political organizations. We believe that by working together, we can achieve our common goals of economic freedom and self-determination,” said EFF spokesperson, Vuyani Pambo.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also welcomed the call for unity, with DA National Spokesperson, Solly Malatsi, stating that “The DA is committed to working with all political parties that share our vision for a better South Africa. We believe that by collaborating, we can bring about meaningful change for all South Africans.”
As the oldest liberation movements in South Africa, the PAC and AZAPO have a responsibility to unite and lead the country towards a brighter future. By setting aside their differences and working together, they have the potential to become a formidable force in the political landscape, bringing about real change for the people of Azania.
In conclusion, President Nyhontso’s call for unity between the PAC and AZAPO is a step in the right direction towards achieving a stronger, more united Azania. It is a call that should be embraced by all those who share the vision of a free, prosperous, and self-reliant Africa. As we move towards a new era in South Africa, it is imperative that these two parties come together and work towards a common goal. Let us unite for the greater good of Azania, and build a better future for generations to come
