PAN AFRICANIST CONGRESS-CONSTITUTION
1. NAME
The name of the Organization shall be Pan Africanist Congress, hereinafter referred to as the P.A.C.
2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
(a) To unite and rally the African people into one national front on the basis of African nationalism. (b) To fight for the overthrow of White domination, and for the implementation and maintenance of the right to self-determination of the African people. (c) To work and strive for the establishment and maintenance of an Africanist Socialist democracy recognizing the primacy of the material and spiritual interests of the human personality. (d) To promote the educational, cultural and economic advancement of the African people. (e) To propagate and promote the concept of the federation of Southern Africa, and Pan Africanism by promoting unity among peoples of Africa.
3. MEMBERSHIP
(a) Any African who is of the age of 16 years or above and accepts the principles, programme and discipline ofthe P.A.C shall be eligible for membership, provided that: (i) He/She is not a member of any political organization whose policy is inconsistent with that of the P.AC. (ii) The National Executive Committee shall from time to time determine whether a certain organisation is inconsistent with the cause of the P.A.C. (iii) In doubtful cases applications shall be forwarded by the Local Executive, together with the reasons for doubt, before the application is accepted or rejected. Then and only then shall the NEC issue such an applicant, upon payment of the enrolment fee, a membership card after which the applicant shall be regarded as a member of the PAC. (b) Application for membership shall be normally made on duly prescribed forms which shall be completed bythe applicant and forwarded for consideration by the National Executive Committee. (c) Each individual member of the P.AC shall pay a subscription fee of 2/6 per annum. (d) On enrolment each member shall be supplied with a membership card.
4. FINANCE
(a) The general funds of the PAC shall be derived from proceeds of functions (parties, dances, football matches etc.) voluntary subscriptions, levies, appeals, donations, bequests, sales of PAC literature, badges, subscription fees of individual members and other sources approved by the P.A.C. (b) It shall be the competency of the National Executive Committee to finance projects should general funds be inadequate. (c) Funds contributed by members for any specific purpose shall not be alienated for any other purpose save by the resolution of the N.E.C. (d) The National Executive Committee shall establish and administer a National Reserve Fund, and at the end of the financial year the N.E.C. may vote a sum to be determined for this purpose. (e) The NEC shall at the end of the year prepare estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the ensuing year, such estimates shall be submitted to the Annual National Conference for consideration. (f) The financial year of the P.A.C shall begin on the 1st day of November to 31stday of October the following year. (g) All N.E.C accounts other than recurring expenditure such as rent, salaries, petty cash, shall be submitted to the N.E.C for approval prior to payment, and amount not exceeding 210 shall be granted from time to time as petty cash. (h) All national funds shall be deposited in a bank, and applications for withdrawal must be signed by the Treasury-General and either National Secretary or the President. (i) Subscription fees shall be equally distributed between the three organs of the P.A.C namely, the Branch, the Region and the National organs. Also provision for keeping of monies shall apply mutatis mutandis between the three organs of the P.A.C unless otherwise indicated. (j) The N.E.C. shall at the end of the financial year cause the Treasury-General to prepare and submit audited accounts to the National Conference.
5. NATIONAL FLAG
The official colours of the P.A.C. shall be green, black and gold. The P.A.C. flag shall be green field with a black map of Africa and a gold star in the northwest of Africa. Green shall represent the youth and vitality of the continent. Black shall represent the colour of the people and gold shall represent the wealth actual and potential.
6. THE ANNUAL AND THE SPECIAL NATIONAL CONFERENCES
(a) The National Conference of the P.A.C. shall be the supreme organ of the organization and shall lay down the broad basic policy and programme of the P.A.C. and its decision shall be binding on all members and organs of the Pan Africanist Congress. (b) The Annual National Conference shall be held at such time and place as may be decided upon by previous Conference or, in the absence of such a decision, by the National Executive Committee. (c) The functions, duties and powers of the National Congress shall be supervisory, deliberative, administrative and determinative. (d) A special National Conference may be called by the N.E.C. in cases of emergencies. (e) Upon receipt of a requisition signed by one third of the number of the branches represented at the previous Conference, a special Conference shall be called by the N.E.C in connection with the subject matter of the requisition within six weeks of the receipt of such requisition by the National Secretary or President. (f) The Annual Conference shall consider reports and audited accounts presented by the N.E.C. (g) Branches which are in full compliance with their fees shall be entitled to be represented at a General Conference by one delegate for every 15 members, provided that no single Branch shall be represented by more than 10 delegates. (h) Any Branch of the P.A.C. which is in arrears shall have no right to participate in any General Conference. (i) At least six weeks before the date for the holding of an Annual Conference the N.E.C. shall frame and circulate and agenda to all branches of the P.A.C. To secure inclusion in the agenda of items from the Region or Branches, these must be forwarded to the National Secretary at least 8 weeks before the date of the Conference. Delegates to the conferences shall be entitled to move amendments at Annual and Special Conferences to any resolutions or proposals or to any proposed alteration to the Constitution that may appear on any agenda paper of such conference. (j) Only P.A.C organs such as Branches and not individual members, shall send resolutions for determination at the Annual or Special national Conference.
7. COMPOSITION OF THE NATIONAL CONGRESS
The National Conference shall be constituted as follows:
(a) Delegates from Branches elected subject to section 6(g) above. (b) All members of the National Executive Committee and members of the National Working Committee shall be ex-officio delegates to the National Conference.
8. QUALIFICATION FOR DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONFERENCE
(a) All delegates to the National Conference must be bona fide members of the organs of the P.A.C. (b) No person shall be a delegate for more than one organ of the P.A.C. (c) No person who is in arrears with his subscription fee shall be eligible as a delegate to the National Conference. (d) Every delegate must, as an individual accept the Constitution, programme, principles and policies of the P.A.C. and conform to them.
9. COMPOSITION OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(a) The N.E.C. shall consist of the following:-
(i) The President, the National Secretary, Presidents from the Regions existing, the Secretariat consisting of the Secretaries for: Pan African affairs, Foreign Affairs, Publicity and Information, Labour, Education, Culture, Economic Affairs and the National Organiser and three other members. (ii) The NE.C. shall hold office for three years. After the Regional elections the National Secretary shall summon the National Executive Committee, including the Chairmen of Regions who ipso facto become Deputy Presidents, for the election of Senior Deputy President among the Deputy Presidents. This Senior Deputy President shall hold office, until the expiry of the N.E.C period of office, irrespective of subsequent Regional Election results. (iii) The members of the N.E.C. shall not hold office in either the Regional or Branch Executive Commitees.
10. THE NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE
The National Working Committee shall be the main sub-organ of the National Executive Committee, and shall consist of:-
(a) The President, and (b) Four other members elected by the N.E.C from among themselves.
11. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE
(a) The N.W.C shall see to it that the decisions of the Conference and those of the N.E.C. are duly executed and its policies are duly implemented. (b) It shall supervise the administrative machinery of the organization on a national, provincial and local levels and shall take such measures as it deems fit to enforce the decisions and programme of the Pan Africanist Congress. (c) The members of the NWC shall normally reside in an area situated within a radius of 50 miles from headquarters to be indicated from time to time. (d) The N.W.C. shall meet in a plenary session at least once in a month or, if emergency arises from day to day to review the major trends, formulate tactics and modify strategy for the guidance of the N.E.C. and assume full powers for safe-guarding the basic programme of the P.A.C.
12. COMPOSITION OF THE REGIONAL CONFERENCE
(a) The Regional Conference shall consist of representatives from each local branch as indicated in section 6(g) above. (b) The Regional Conference shall elect the Regional Executive composed of the following:
1. Chairman and Vice-Chairman, 2. Secretary and Assistant Secretary, 3. Treasurer and 4. Four other committee members.
All the above-mentioned shall be elected every two years.
13. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE REGIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(a) To organize local Branches within the Region, and co-ordinate their activities. (b) To carry out the programmes and policy of the P.A.C. and the instructions and directives received from the National Executive Committee. (c) To make recommendation to the N.E.C. on matters affecting the welfare of the organization within their region. (d) To implement the decision of the Regional Conference, provided that such decisions are not in the conflict with the programme and policy of the P.A.C. (e) To submit the annual statements and annual reports to the Regional Conference and the N.E.C (f) To help manage, control and guide the work of the P.A.C. Educational, and Cultural organisations in their Region under the general supervision of the National Executive Committee. (g) To undertake all such activities as may further the work of the P.A.C. in the region concern. (h) The N.E.C shall at the end of the financial year cause the Regional Treasurer to prepare and submit audited accounts to the Regional Conference.
14. THE REGIONAL FUNDS
The National Executive Committee shall determine the manner whereby any funds of the Region shall be kept.
15. LOCAL BRANCHES
(a) The local Branch shall be the basic unit of the organisation of the P.A.C. Each shall b governed by a Branch Executive Committee, which shall consist of:
1. Chairman and Vice Chairman 2. Secretary and Assistant Secretary 3. Treasurer, and 4. Four other members
(b) The Branch Executive Committee shall be elected at the Branch Annual Meeting. (c) There shall be a Branch meeting at least once every fortnight. (d) Fifteen members shall constitute a branch
16. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BRANCH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(a) To carry organisational and propaganda work among the masses in order to acquaint them with the standpoint of the P.A.C. (b) To keep close contact with the masses and to report periodically their experiences to the Regional Committee. (c) To study educational and cultural life of the people in their area. (d) To foster the spirit of initiative among the masses by taking leading part in organising them to solve problems. (e) To recruit new members and to collect P.A.C. membership dues. (f) To forward the list of members to the Regional Executive Committee and to report any indiscipline and other dishonour and disputes. (g) To discipline any member of the branch as provided in the Disciplinary Code. (h) To foster political and general education amongst P.A.C. members, especially the youth. (i) The Branch Executive Committee shall prepare and submit a financial statement to the Annual Members Meeting which shall have been endorsed by the Regional Committee.
17. AMENDMENTS
(a) This Constitution, or any part thereof may be amended or rescinded, altered or added thereto by a two-thirds majority present and voting at an Annual National Conference. (b) Proposals regarding any amendment of the Constitution must be sent to the National Secretary at least two months before the Conference at which they are to be considered and circulated in writing to the Branches at least one month before Conference. (c) Two-fifths of the members shall constitute a quorum any meeting.
ADOPTED BY INAUGURAL CONFERENCE OF THE PAN AFRICANIST CONGRESS HELD AT ORLANDO, JOHANNESBURG
4th – 6thAPRIL, 1959
SIGNED BY: POTLAKO K. LEBALLO NATIONAL SECRETARY
MANGALISO R. SOBUKWE (PRESIDENT)
1. NAME
The name of the Organization shall be Pan Africanist Congress, hereinafter referred to as the P.A.C.
2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
(a) To unite and rally the African people into one national front on the basis of African nationalism. (b) To fight for the overthrow of White domination, and for the implementation and maintenance of the right to self-determination of the African people. (c) To work and strive for the establishment and maintenance of an Africanist Socialist democracy recognizing the primacy of the material and spiritual interests of the human personality. (d) To promote the educational, cultural and economic advancement of the African people. (e) To propagate and promote the concept of the federation of Southern Africa, and Pan Africanism by promoting unity among peoples of Africa.
3. MEMBERSHIP
(a) Any African who is of the age of 16 years or above and accepts the principles, programme and discipline ofthe P.A.C shall be eligible for membership, provided that: (i) He/She is not a member of any political organization whose policy is inconsistent with that of the P.AC. (ii) The National Executive Committee shall from time to time determine whether a certain organisation is inconsistent with the cause of the P.A.C. (iii) In doubtful cases applications shall be forwarded by the Local Executive, together with the reasons for doubt, before the application is accepted or rejected. Then and only then shall the NEC issue such an applicant, upon payment of the enrolment fee, a membership card after which the applicant shall be regarded as a member of the PAC. (b) Application for membership shall be normally made on duly prescribed forms which shall be completed bythe applicant and forwarded for consideration by the National Executive Committee. (c) Each individual member of the P.AC shall pay a subscription fee of 2/6 per annum. (d) On enrolment each member shall be supplied with a membership card.
4. FINANCE
(a) The general funds of the PAC shall be derived from proceeds of functions (parties, dances, football matches etc.) voluntary subscriptions, levies, appeals, donations, bequests, sales of PAC literature, badges, subscription fees of individual members and other sources approved by the P.A.C. (b) It shall be the competency of the National Executive Committee to finance projects should general funds be inadequate. (c) Funds contributed by members for any specific purpose shall not be alienated for any other purpose save by the resolution of the N.E.C. (d) The National Executive Committee shall establish and administer a National Reserve Fund, and at the end of the financial year the N.E.C. may vote a sum to be determined for this purpose. (e) The NEC shall at the end of the year prepare estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the ensuing year, such estimates shall be submitted to the Annual National Conference for consideration. (f) The financial year of the P.A.C shall begin on the 1st day of November to 31stday of October the following year. (g) All N.E.C accounts other than recurring expenditure such as rent, salaries, petty cash, shall be submitted to the N.E.C for approval prior to payment, and amount not exceeding 210 shall be granted from time to time as petty cash. (h) All national funds shall be deposited in a bank, and applications for withdrawal must be signed by the Treasury-General and either National Secretary or the President. (i) Subscription fees shall be equally distributed between the three organs of the P.A.C namely, the Branch, the Region and the National organs. Also provision for keeping of monies shall apply mutatis mutandis between the three organs of the P.A.C unless otherwise indicated. (j) The N.E.C. shall at the end of the financial year cause the Treasury-General to prepare and submit audited accounts to the National Conference.
5. NATIONAL FLAG
The official colours of the P.A.C. shall be green, black and gold. The P.A.C. flag shall be green field with a black map of Africa and a gold star in the northwest of Africa. Green shall represent the youth and vitality of the continent. Black shall represent the colour of the people and gold shall represent the wealth actual and potential.
6. THE ANNUAL AND THE SPECIAL NATIONAL CONFERENCES
(a) The National Conference of the P.A.C. shall be the supreme organ of the organization and shall lay down the broad basic policy and programme of the P.A.C. and its decision shall be binding on all members and organs of the Pan Africanist Congress. (b) The Annual National Conference shall be held at such time and place as may be decided upon by previous Conference or, in the absence of such a decision, by the National Executive Committee. (c) The functions, duties and powers of the National Congress shall be supervisory, deliberative, administrative and determinative. (d) A special National Conference may be called by the N.E.C. in cases of emergencies. (e) Upon receipt of a requisition signed by one third of the number of the branches represented at the previous Conference, a special Conference shall be called by the N.E.C in connection with the subject matter of the requisition within six weeks of the receipt of such requisition by the National Secretary or President. (f) The Annual Conference shall consider reports and audited accounts presented by the N.E.C. (g) Branches which are in full compliance with their fees shall be entitled to be represented at a General Conference by one delegate for every 15 members, provided that no single Branch shall be represented by more than 10 delegates. (h) Any Branch of the P.A.C. which is in arrears shall have no right to participate in any General Conference. (i) At least six weeks before the date for the holding of an Annual Conference the N.E.C. shall frame and circulate and agenda to all branches of the P.A.C. To secure inclusion in the agenda of items from the Region or Branches, these must be forwarded to the National Secretary at least 8 weeks before the date of the Conference. Delegates to the conferences shall be entitled to move amendments at Annual and Special Conferences to any resolutions or proposals or to any proposed alteration to the Constitution that may appear on any agenda paper of such conference. (j) Only P.A.C organs such as Branches and not individual members, shall send resolutions for determination at the Annual or Special national Conference.
7. COMPOSITION OF THE NATIONAL CONGRESS
The National Conference shall be constituted as follows:
(a) Delegates from Branches elected subject to section 6(g) above. (b) All members of the National Executive Committee and members of the National Working Committee shall be ex-officio delegates to the National Conference.
8. QUALIFICATION FOR DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONFERENCE
(a) All delegates to the National Conference must be bona fide members of the organs of the P.A.C. (b) No person shall be a delegate for more than one organ of the P.A.C. (c) No person who is in arrears with his subscription fee shall be eligible as a delegate to the National Conference. (d) Every delegate must, as an individual accept the Constitution, programme, principles and policies of the P.A.C. and conform to them.
9. COMPOSITION OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(a) The N.E.C. shall consist of the following:-
(i) The President, the National Secretary, Presidents from the Regions existing, the Secretariat consisting of the Secretaries for: Pan African affairs, Foreign Affairs, Publicity and Information, Labour, Education, Culture, Economic Affairs and the National Organiser and three other members. (ii) The NE.C. shall hold office for three years. After the Regional elections the National Secretary shall summon the National Executive Committee, including the Chairmen of Regions who ipso facto become Deputy Presidents, for the election of Senior Deputy President among the Deputy Presidents. This Senior Deputy President shall hold office, until the expiry of the N.E.C period of office, irrespective of subsequent Regional Election results. (iii) The members of the N.E.C. shall not hold office in either the Regional or Branch Executive Commitees.
10. THE NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE
The National Working Committee shall be the main sub-organ of the National Executive Committee, and shall consist of:-
(a) The President, and (b) Four other members elected by the N.E.C from among themselves.
11. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE
(a) The N.W.C shall see to it that the decisions of the Conference and those of the N.E.C. are duly executed and its policies are duly implemented. (b) It shall supervise the administrative machinery of the organization on a national, provincial and local levels and shall take such measures as it deems fit to enforce the decisions and programme of the Pan Africanist Congress. (c) The members of the NWC shall normally reside in an area situated within a radius of 50 miles from headquarters to be indicated from time to time. (d) The N.W.C. shall meet in a plenary session at least once in a month or, if emergency arises from day to day to review the major trends, formulate tactics and modify strategy for the guidance of the N.E.C. and assume full powers for safe-guarding the basic programme of the P.A.C.
12. COMPOSITION OF THE REGIONAL CONFERENCE
(a) The Regional Conference shall consist of representatives from each local branch as indicated in section 6(g) above. (b) The Regional Conference shall elect the Regional Executive composed of the following:
1. Chairman and Vice-Chairman, 2. Secretary and Assistant Secretary, 3. Treasurer and 4. Four other committee members.
All the above-mentioned shall be elected every two years.
13. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE REGIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(a) To organize local Branches within the Region, and co-ordinate their activities. (b) To carry out the programmes and policy of the P.A.C. and the instructions and directives received from the National Executive Committee. (c) To make recommendation to the N.E.C. on matters affecting the welfare of the organization within their region. (d) To implement the decision of the Regional Conference, provided that such decisions are not in the conflict with the programme and policy of the P.A.C. (e) To submit the annual statements and annual reports to the Regional Conference and the N.E.C (f) To help manage, control and guide the work of the P.A.C. Educational, and Cultural organisations in their Region under the general supervision of the National Executive Committee. (g) To undertake all such activities as may further the work of the P.A.C. in the region concern. (h) The N.E.C shall at the end of the financial year cause the Regional Treasurer to prepare and submit audited accounts to the Regional Conference.
14. THE REGIONAL FUNDS
The National Executive Committee shall determine the manner whereby any funds of the Region shall be kept.
15. LOCAL BRANCHES
(a) The local Branch shall be the basic unit of the organisation of the P.A.C. Each shall b governed by a Branch Executive Committee, which shall consist of:
1. Chairman and Vice Chairman 2. Secretary and Assistant Secretary 3. Treasurer, and 4. Four other members
(b) The Branch Executive Committee shall be elected at the Branch Annual Meeting. (c) There shall be a Branch meeting at least once every fortnight. (d) Fifteen members shall constitute a branch
16. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BRANCH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(a) To carry organisational and propaganda work among the masses in order to acquaint them with the standpoint of the P.A.C. (b) To keep close contact with the masses and to report periodically their experiences to the Regional Committee. (c) To study educational and cultural life of the people in their area. (d) To foster the spirit of initiative among the masses by taking leading part in organising them to solve problems. (e) To recruit new members and to collect P.A.C. membership dues. (f) To forward the list of members to the Regional Executive Committee and to report any indiscipline and other dishonour and disputes. (g) To discipline any member of the branch as provided in the Disciplinary Code. (h) To foster political and general education amongst P.A.C. members, especially the youth. (i) The Branch Executive Committee shall prepare and submit a financial statement to the Annual Members Meeting which shall have been endorsed by the Regional Committee.
17. AMENDMENTS
(a) This Constitution, or any part thereof may be amended or rescinded, altered or added thereto by a two-thirds majority present and voting at an Annual National Conference. (b) Proposals regarding any amendment of the Constitution must be sent to the National Secretary at least two months before the Conference at which they are to be considered and circulated in writing to the Branches at least one month before Conference. (c) Two-fifths of the members shall constitute a quorum any meeting.
ADOPTED BY INAUGURAL CONFERENCE OF THE PAN AFRICANIST CONGRESS HELD AT ORLANDO, JOHANNESBURG
4th – 6thAPRIL, 1959
SIGNED BY: POTLAKO K. LEBALLO NATIONAL SECRETARY
MANGALISO R. SOBUKWE (PRESIDENT)
