John Nyathi Pokela

**John Nyathi "Poks" Pokela** (1922 anaa 1923 – 30 June 1985) be South African political activist plus Chairman for de Pan Africanist Congress (PAC).

## Early life
Dem born am insyd Herschel insyd de Transkei region, den he go school insyd Healdtown Comprehensive School plus University of Fort Hare. After he graduate as teacher, he go teach for Standerton. He start as member of de African National Congress Youth League, where he dey part of de Africanist wing wey no agree make ANC dey work plus other racial groups. He comot from de African National Congress for November 1958, then help start de PAC during de late 1950s, where he become Acting Secretary-general. Insyd 1963, he lef South Africa, then lead de organisation for exile from Lesotho.

## Incarceration on Robben Island
Insyd 1966, dem jail am 13 years for Robben Island based on sabotage charges wey relate to de Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA), wey be de militant wing for de Pan Africanist Congress. He be one of de founders of APLA (wey dem first call Poqo) for 1961, together plus Z. B. Molete and Clarence Makwetu.

As he dey prison, Pokela work hard to unite de different PAC factions. For 1980, after he serve ein sentence, dem release am from Robben Island. Then for February 1981, dem appoint am to take over from Vusumzi Make (wey resign after de Chunya massacre for March 1980, as APLA troops no gree accept ein leadership) to lead de Tanzanian-backed faction of de PAC. But ein leadership no get accept from de surviving members of de 500-man APLA Chunya force, plus de Maoist PAC factions wey dey Zimbabwe, Libya, Ghana, den Kenya. Still, Tanzania use demma influence take persuade Mugabe ein government make dem deport or jail de main people wey oppose Pokela—Leballo, Leeman, Gaelisiwe, plus Buqwana.

## Chairmanship of de Pan Africanist Congress

### Attempts at intra-party reconciliation
As Pokela take over as chairman, he start work to bring unity back into de PAC, wey don divide since 1979 after Tanzania-backed removal of Chairman Potlako Leballo, wey lead de party from 1962 to 1979. He enter talks plus de 70-member Azanian People's Revolutionary Party (APRP), wey be one short-lived PAC breakaway group formed by members wey dem sack for de 1978 PAC National Executive meeting wey happen for Arusha. Because of Pokela ein effort for reconciliation, dem members return back inside PAC for 1982, den APRP come disband.

### Support for Iraq
During de Iran–Iraq War, Pokela visit Baghdad, Iraq together plus PAC delegation, then he talk sey he dey support Iraq. But dis stance no match PAC ein official position, as de party no want take side for any conflict between members of de Non-Aligned Movement. Because of dis, other PAC members, including Henry Isaacs and Mike Muendane, criticize Pokela. Later on, Iraq send 50,000 dollars give PAC.

### Reorganization of de party
Pokela too try reorganize de party itself, as dem dey face internal wahala—both between members of de Central Committee plus between de leaders den ordinary party members. He appoint de outgoing Chairman, Make, as Deputy Chairman, even though Make dey under investigation for misuse of funds at dat time. Pokela still add more power to de chairman ein position. But he face more opposition from Isaacs concerning dem organisational changes, wey later make Isaacs resign.

Under Pokela ein leadership, dem set clear breakdown for how to use party funds: 50% go military operations, 30% go administration, den 20% for propaganda. Dem even bring idea say every member for PAC wey dey handle money for de party must submit yearly financial report. But even with all dis plans, money still disappear at different times, den PAC run out of funds between March den November 1981.

## Death
Pokela die insyd Parirenyatwa Hospital insyd Zimbabwe for June 1985. Dem give am state funeral for Zimbabwe, wey Methodist bishop Stanley Mogoba officiate. Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe praise am for de way he reunite de PAC. After ein death, Johnson Mlambo take over as chairman.

## Literature wey Pokela wrep

* "Segregatory Bodies Must Go." *Inkundla*, 24 December 1949.
* "The Birth-Pangs of African Unity in the Sub-Continent" Manuscript, dem possibly wrep am insyd 1962.

## References