Pan Africanist Youth Congress of Azania

Pan Africanist Youth Congress of Azania
Chairperson	Thabani "Small" Zondo
Founded	1981 (1981)
Headquarters	Johannesburg
Mother party	Pan Africanist Congress of Azania
Magazine	Mayihlome News
Website	http://mayihlomenews.co.za

Pan Africanist Youth Congress (PAYCO) is the youth wing of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) in South Africa. Till 1997, it was known as AZANYU (Azanian Youth Unity). Founded in 1981, PAYCO (known as AZANYU, at that time), held its first congress in 1986. Some of the notable past presidents of PAYCO include Linda Ndebele (2009), Hulisani Mbara (2007), Sibusiso Xaba (2005), Matome Mashao (2003), Cameron Tabane (1999), Wonder Masombuka (1997), Mosotho Petlane (1993), Ntsie Mohlai, Zingile Mkhabile, Dan Mofokeng (1983), and Arthur Moleko (1981).

AZANYU days

Azanyu was founded in 1981 after its parent organization (PAC) was banned, and held its first congress in 1983. AZANYU was founded to develop the PAC underground structures inside South Africa and to recruit soldiers for the people's army, the Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA). The founding president of AZANYU was Arthur Moleko, who was later arrested when returning from Botswana. AZANYU was largely confined in the Witwatersrand in its early days.

The formation of AZANYU was directed by the PAC external mission, hence its material (such as cards, letterheads, and T-shirts), was first printed in Botswana under the direction of Pat Khohlo who was the Chief Representative at the time.

Key figures to the founding of AZANYU were comrades Carter Seleka, Sipho Ngcobo, Sipho Mzolo, Zodwa Mshibe, Ruth Bengu and Arthur Moleko (who later died in exile).

Amongst its many achievements, AZANYU founded NACTU, AWO, and PAM in the 80's to increase the profile of PAC inside South Africa. AZANYU operated in the same office as the African Allied Workers Union, which was founded by Dikgang Moseneke and Willie Seriti.

As part of its operations, AZANYU also infiltrated Unions of CUSA which ensured its nationwide presence. AZANYU contributed tremendously to the survival of PAC as it produced cadres who were ideologically advanced. During these years, Azania News was still a vibrant ideological tribune and was used in classes with articles written by Nyathi Pokela and Edwin Makoti.

Key figures in the early days of AZANYU were Joe Tholoe, Thami Mazwai, and Phillip Dlamini. Cadres like Cunningham Ngcukana and Serame Molefi played a pivotal role to help spread AZANYU beyond the Witwatersrand AZANYU. Serame Molefi was active in Bloemfontein, Fezile Mvula in Cape Town, Molefo Modiga in Pimville, and Cunningham Ngcukana helped spread AZANYU across the Western and Eastern Cape. In the Eastern Cape, it was comrades like Mngaza, Boniswa Ngcukana and Malusi Koli who made the mission possible. In the Western Cape, it was comrades like Twelve Fudumele and Fezile Mvula who ensured that AZANYU operations were successful. Justice Lebea ensured that AZANYU became a success in Kwazulu Natal through his work with universities to spread AZANYU nationwide.

In 1985 AZANYU undertook a program, which saw itself become a true National Organization. This led to the formation of the ALL AFRICA STUDENTS ACTION COMMITTEE (AASAC), the precursor to PASO, under the late Lawrence Nqandela.

AZANYU reached great heights under the leadership of Ntsie Mohloai and Mpuka Radinku.

However, after the unbanning of PAC in 1990, AZANYU faced many organizational challenges and differences with the leaders of the unbanned mother body. AZANYU suffered lots of active suppression of the youth movement by internal forces.

AZANU survived until 1997, when it became known as PAN AFRICANIST YOUTH CONGRESS of AZANIA (PAYCO), as resolved by the 1997 elective congress, in which Wonder Masombuka was elected president.