The Slow Death of the PAC
It is sad that it is floor-crossing that puts the final nail in the once-proud Pan African Congress' coffin. The PAC entered the floor-crossing season with 4 MP's left, so far two have left to form a new party, and one has all but crossed. The sole remaining MP, former president Motsoko Pheko, is currently under dispute with the PAC, who have been trying to oust him from the party anyway. The case is under appeal, and should the appeal fail, the PAC will be a party without representation.

The first two to leave, former party deputy president Themba Godi and former secretary general Mofihli Likotsi, have formed the African People's Convention, a new party which aims to carry on the ideology and policy positions of the PAC, within a new vehicle. Personally, this seems like a vain move, given that the PAC's demise found its antecedent in a lack of relevance with the electorate. The PAC in a new guise will surely fail.

If looked at from a historical point of view, the demise of the PAC is a shame. The PAC has nearly a half century of history in South African politics, most of that as a strong player in the Struggle. It is the party of Robert Sobukwe, the ideological home of Steve Biko, and the platform for the Black Consciousness Movement. Whilst many, including myself, disagreed with the role of APLA during the Struggle, the PAC's influence as part of the collective that brought freedom to our land is difficult to deny.