Senior PAC members and leaders of one of its splinter groups, the Pan-Africanist Movement (PAM), have called for an end to a feud between the two parties to honour the wishes of late political icon Clarence Makwetu.
Members of both parties, who had travelled from far and wide, joined hands in a show of unity at a touching memorial service for Makwetu, whom they described as a gallant combatant in the liberation, a patriot and a principled leader. The two parties were joined by local leaders of rival political parties like the Congress of the People and Economic Freedom Fighters.
Makwetu, 88, was the third president of the PAC, while factional divisions within the party also led to him leaving the party and setting up the PAM, which he served as president.
He also spent time as a political prisoner on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela. Prior to joining the PAC, he had been part of the ANC Youth League.
Addressing his memorial service in Cofimvaba yesterday, PAC deputy president Mzwanele Nyontso was the first to call for unity between the two organisations. “We are a laughing stock because we don’t want to unite,” he said. “Our actions are a vote of no confidence to the very same Africans we are trying to unite. We don’t have to love each other but for the love of the PAC.”
Makwetu died on April 1 in a Komani hospital following a long illness. He has been accorded a special official provincial funeral, which will take place at his birth village in Gwatyu Farms tomorrow.
PAM deputy president Babini Tame said the onus was on the remaining members to carry through the vision of a united Africa.
“He was not a weak man who went to bed having told you one thing and woke up saying something different the next morning.”
Makwetu’s nephew, Vuyo, said his uncle had passed away still harbouring regrets.
“He used to say we have the freedom to rule but the ownership of the land was still in the hands of very few people.”
He said it was his uncle’s wish to see a united country.
PAM provincial chairman Vuyile Yeye said the onus was on the remaining senior leaders, including Apla's military veterans, to help craft a united front between PAC and PAM.
Chris Hani district mayor Mxolisi Koyo said the government would do everything in its power to ensure that Zikhali (Makwethu’s clan name) was given a dignified send-off.
PAC calls for end to feuding
Members of both parties, who had travelled from far and wide, joined hands in a show of unity at a touching memorial service for Makwetu, whom they described as a gallant combatant in the liberation, a patriot and a principled leader. The two parties were joined by local leaders of rival political parties like the Congress of the People and Economic Freedom Fighters.
Makwetu, 88, was the third president of the PAC, while factional divisions within the party also led to him leaving the party and setting up the PAM, which he served as president.
He also spent time as a political prisoner on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela. Prior to joining the PAC, he had been part of the ANC Youth League.
Addressing his memorial service in Cofimvaba yesterday, PAC deputy president Mzwanele Nyontso was the first to call for unity between the two organisations. “We are a laughing stock because we don’t want to unite,” he said. “Our actions are a vote of no confidence to the very same Africans we are trying to unite. We don’t have to love each other but for the love of the PAC.”
Makwetu died on April 1 in a Komani hospital following a long illness. He has been accorded a special official provincial funeral, which will take place at his birth village in Gwatyu Farms tomorrow.
PAM deputy president Babini Tame said the onus was on the remaining members to carry through the vision of a united Africa.
“He was not a weak man who went to bed having told you one thing and woke up saying something different the next morning.”
Makwetu’s nephew, Vuyo, said his uncle had passed away still harbouring regrets.
“He used to say we have the freedom to rule but the ownership of the land was still in the hands of very few people.”
He said it was his uncle’s wish to see a united country.
PAM provincial chairman Vuyile Yeye said the onus was on the remaining senior leaders, including Apla's military veterans, to help craft a united front between PAC and PAM.
Chris Hani district mayor Mxolisi Koyo said the government would do everything in its power to ensure that Zikhali (Makwethu’s clan name) was given a dignified send-off.
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