CENTANE, Eastern Cape — The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) marked Africa Month with a community event in Centane focused on advancing African unity, boosting youth political participation, and strengthening local engagement. The gathering, held in a village near Centane, drew residents primarily from Centane and surrounding villages, with attendees singing and celebrating as the organization reaffirmed its commitment to pan-African principles.
PAC President Mzwanele Nyhontso, who hails from the area, addressed the crowd, outlining three core objectives for the event: commemorating Africa Liberation Day following the May 25 observance; encouraging young people to register to vote; and officially launching a new PAC branch in the region.
“African unity remains central to our mission,” Nyhontso stated. “Our forebears reminded us that South Africa is part of Africa and that Africans on this continent are one. No African can be a foreigner in Africa.”
Addressing national debates around immigration, Nyhontso emphasized that South Africa’s primary challenges stem from unemployment and stagnant economic growth—not the presence of foreign nationals. “The problem in South Africa is that there are no jobs, people are not employed, and the economy is not growing,” he said. “Let’s grow the economy. Let’s create jobs.”
He advocated for a pragmatic approach to documentation, noting that ensuring all residents are recorded enables them to contribute to tax revenue. He cautioned against simplistic deportation proposals, pointing to porous borders and logistical realities. Nyhontso also highlighted perceived inconsistencies in how immigration enforcement is discussed, noting that undocumented white foreign nationals, including business operators and individuals linked to organized crime in affluent suburbs, rarely face the same public scrutiny as Black migrants. “If we want to talk about illegal foreigners, let us not talk about only Black people,” he asserted.
On youth unemployment, Nyhontso challenged the notion that foreign nationals are displacing South African workers. “It is not true that young people are not working because their jobs are taken by foreign nationals,” he said, observing that many migrants operate small enterprises such as salons rather than competing for formal employment. He maintained that sustainable job creation through economic expansion remains the essential solution.
The event also served as a voter registration drive targeting young adults, many of whom have not participated in previous elections. Organizers noted enthusiastic engagement from youth attendees alongside community elders. Nyhontso confirmed the PAC’s intention to contest upcoming elections across South Africa, stating the party aims to expand its presence and “contest for power” at municipal and national levels.
The gathering concluded with continued community participation, reflecting the PAC’s focus on grassroots mobilization in deep rural areas as Africa Month observances continue nationwide.
