/ 11 August 2004

‘Why is the ANC not joining the PAC?’

The Pan Africanist Congress has denied reports that, like the New National Party, it will join the African National Congress, saying on Wednesday such speculations are foolish.

PAC president Motsoko Pheko said: ”I don’t understand why people are making such assumptions out of the blue. Why are they not asking, why is the ANC not joining the PAC?”

He said the PAC is a sovereign political party with liberation movement credentials.

”We have a rich history in the liberation of the this country. For people to assume we will give that up … it is sheer foolishness on their part.”

It has been reported the PAC is seeking a partnership with the ANC. A news story said the PAC has proposed a political framework for cooperation between itself and the ruling party at government and party level.

The proposal was set out in a document leaked to the press.

PAC deputy president Themba Godi, the alleged chief proponent of the strategy, is understood to have had talks with ANC secretary general Kgalema Motlanthe, the report said.

Pheko said: ”The PAC is not the NNP. You will never find a situation in England where the Labour Party will join the Conservative Party.”

He reiterated the PAC’s call to former liberation movements to unite and resolve challenges facing the country.

”We maintain that this unity should guarantee the attainment of the vital material, spiritual and intellectual interests of the individual and further strive to ensure the wealth of the country was distributed equitably among all citizens,” Pheko said.

He said the organisations he referred to include the Azanian People’s Organisation, the Landless People’s Movement, the Anti-Privatisation Forum and other NGOs. — Sapa