How Pokela’s leadership shaped the PAC

BOTH the ANC and the PAC had challenges in exile. But the main issue is how they survived under the challenges.

- THEMBILE NDABENI

The ANC took control of its situation through in some instances applying harsh measures, but the PAC could not.

Unlike the ANC, the PAC had a huge leadership challenge. The situation became out of control. What complicated matters was that the problem was started by one of its main founders Potlako Leballo. That was the man who was unilaterally appointed by Mangaliso Sobukwe to act as the President because he (Sobukwe) was imprisoned.

After causing the PAC a terrible blow, Leballo was succeeded by the triumvirate (Central Committee) comprising Vusumzi Make, David Sibeko and Elias Ntloedibe. However, the triumvirate too could not really bring a solution to the problem until John Nyathi “Poks” Pokela arrived and took over as chairman.

A teacher born in the Eastern Cape, Pokela was one of the early active members of the ANC Youth League and later one of the founders of the Pan Africanist Congress. He was one of the ANC members who were sceptical about the taking over of the organisation by minority interests.

He was imprisoned for 13 years in Robben Island for the PAC’s armed wing, POQO (renamed APLA) activities. He was charged for plotting to overthrow the government.