Unit 1 1960: Sharpeville massacre and Langa march - In 1959, 300 members of the ANC, led by Robert Sobukwe, broke away to form the PAC, rejecting the multi-racial approach of the ANC. - On 21 March 1960, the PAC organised country-wide protests against pass laws. - Robert Sobukwe led the march in Soweto, Nyakale Tsolo in Sharpeville and Phillip Kgosana in Langa in the Cape. - At Sharpeville, police opened fire on the crowd, killing 69 people and wounding 180. - On 28 March, there was a national stay-away to mark a national day of mourning for the victims. - After Sharpeville, Robert Sobukwe was imprisoned on Robben Island. - Both the PAC and ANC were banned on 8 April 1960 and forced underground. - Sharpeville marked the end of peaceful resistance to apartheid and the beginning of the armed struggle. In 1961, the ANC launched their armed wing, MK, and the PAC formed an underground military wing known as Poqo. - On 31 May 1961, Prime Minister HF Verwoerd led South Africa out of the Commonwealth and declared South Africa a republic.

The events surrounding the Sharpeville massacre and the Langa march in 1960 were pivotal moments in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Here’s a summary of the key points: 1. **Formation of the PAC**: In 1959, a faction of the African National Congress (ANC), led by Robert Sobukwe, broke away to form the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). This group rejected the ANC's multi-racial approach, advocating instead for a more African-centered perspective. 2. **Protests Against Pass Laws**: On March 21, 1960, the PAC organized nationwide protests against the oppressive pass laws that restricted the movement of black South Africans. This day is now commemorated as Human Rights Day in South Africa. 3. **Leadership of the Marches**: The protests saw significant leadership from various figures: Robert Sobukwe led the march in Soweto, Nyakale Tsolo in Sharpeville, and Phillip Kgosana in Langa, Cape Town. 4. **Sharpeville Massacre**: The protest in Sharpeville turned tragic when police opened fire on the crowd, resulting in the deaths of 69 people and injuring 180 others. This brutal response highlighted the violent repression of the apartheid regime. 5. **National Mourning**: In response to the massacre, a national stay-away was organized on March 28, 1960, to mourn the victims and protest against the violence. 6. **Aftermath for Leaders**: Following the events at Sharpeville, Robert Sobukwe was imprisoned on Robben Island, a fate that would be shared by many anti-apartheid activists. 7. **Banning of Political Organizations**: On April 8, 1960, both the PAC and ANC were banned, forcing them underground and marking a significant shift in the struggle against apartheid. 8. **Shift to Armed Struggle**: The Sharpeville massacre signified the end of peaceful resistance to apartheid. In 1961, the ANC established its armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), while the PAC formed its military wing, Poqo, signaling a new phase in the anti-apartheid movement. 9. **South Africa's Political Changes**: On May 31, 1961, Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd led South Africa out of the Commonwealth and declared it a republic, further entrenching the apartheid regime. These events collectively marked a turning point in South African history, leading to increased resistance against apartheid and the eventual struggle for liberation.