PRESS RELEASE

For Urgent and Immediate Circulation

PAC COMMEMORATES THE 57th LANGA/SHARPEVILLE MASSACRE

21 March 2017 marks the 57 th year since the barbaric murder of more 70 men,
women and children during Positive Action Campaign coordinated and led by the
Pan Africanist Congress of Azania.
The Langa/Sharpeville Massacre, as it is rightfully known, was one of the most
horrendous responses of the apartheid regime to the demands of the Africans for
the right for self-determination in the land of their Ancestors. The events of the
day sent shock waves literally across the world, earning it international
recognition as Sharpeville Day and the United Nations General Assembly
declaring it as the International Day For The Elimination Of Racial Discrimination.
The Sharpeville Uprising, drew comments from the likes of Franz Fanon, author of
Wretched of the Earth when he said The Pan Africanist Congress and the urban
proletariat actively intervened in their affairs and ushered in a new period, rich in
historical perspective and pregnant with political possibilities for the democratic
movement
Sharpeville has become a symbol [of African liberation struggle]. It was through
it, that men and women in the world became acquainted with the problem of
South Africa
To the PAC, the commemoration is more than just another public holiday, but a
day of mourning, remembering and honouring their martyrs. PAC President
Luthando Mbinda, the main speaker, at the Commemoration Rally to take place
at Sobukwe Square, kwaLanga, on Tuesday, reflecting on the events of the day
stated that it is with pain and sorrow to note that 57 years after the African
martyrs laid their lives down for freedom, it seems their deaths were in vain as
freedom seems to have eluded the African people who are seen, year in-year out,
celebrating the dispossession of their land in the name of constitutional
democracy. ThePAC is still true to fight started by the martyrs of 1960.
Mr. Kenneth Bafo, the PAC Provincial Chairman commenting on the events of 21
March 1960 and the 30 000 people march from kwaLanga to Cape Town said,
we (the PAC) literally brought Cape Town to a standstill as the African masses
struck fear into the hearts of the white regime. The regime could not help but
feel and respect the might of the resolve of the PAC to free the Africans from
oppression.
Amongst the core aspects of the messages of the PAC leaders, at the Rally, will
be an assurance to the masses of our people and the nation, as a whole, of the
oneness and commitment of the PAC to Sobukwes Revolutionary Legacy of
struggle for freedom, liberation and the dignity of the African poor majority.
The PAC President will be making the clarion call to the masses of our people to
join forces with the PAC for true liberation and the total return of their land, that
is still in the hands of the white-minority, despite so-called democracy. Difficult
challenges facing our people and the country at all levels; Political-Economic-
Social, demands genuine selfless leadership that Sobukwe provided to the
masses of our people in the Positive Action Campaign against pass laws. The PAC
takes charge of all-means-possible in ensuring that an Africanist government
takes over the affairs in this country.
The event will also be graced by veterans of the PAC who were active on the
ground and instrumental to the success of the campaign, at the time, in 1960.
Veterans, Mr. Kwedi Mkalipi and Mr. Dagama Mngqibisa, will be available for
interviews to reflect on the their involvement in the Anti-Pass Campaign and the
scourge of racism that bedevils the social fabric of Azania (South Africa) today.
The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania Provincial Leadership kindly invites all
residents of Cape Town to this remembrance and honouring 57 th
Langa/Sharpeville Commemoration that will be as follows:
Venue: Sobukwe Square, kwaLanga
Date: Tuesday 21 March 2017
Time: 09h00
Main Speaker(s): Mr. Luthando Mbinda (MP) [PAC PRESIDENT]
Mr. Phillip Kgosana (Leader of the 1960 March from kwaLanga to
Cape Town)
For more information please contact Mr Siybulela Ndamane (083 790 6470) or Mr
Sabelo Sibanda 073 084 5415.
Thanking you in advance
SABELO SIBANDA (Media Desk) 073 084 5415