THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 23rd October 1990

Zephania Lekoane Mothopeng, former President of the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) of Azania (South Africa) died at the age of 77.

Mothopeng was born in Free State near the town of Vrede, South Africa on 10th September 1913. After graduating from college Mothopeng taught at Orlando Secondary School from 1941 until his dismissal twelve years later in 1952 because of his outspoken criticism of the inferior "bantu"education provided to Africans. Following his dismissal Mothopeng taught in Lesotho before returning to Johannesburg to work as a law clerk in 1955.

A member of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) since 1943, Mothopeng became increasing disgruntled with the policies and direction on the ANC leading to him forming the breakaway PAC in 1959 with others including Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, who was elected President of the organisation. Mothopeng was elected to the PAC national executive.

Mothopeng was arrested and convicted in 1960 for his role in organising mass portests against the pass laws requiring Africans to carry passes controling their freedom of movement. He served a two year sentence but was rearrested in 1963 and sentence to three years, serving his sentence on the infamous Robben Island for being a member of a banned organisation, the PAC.

Though he was released in 1967 he was under a banning order last over four years. Despite this Mothopeng continued to engage in clandestine PAC political activity until his arrest in 1976 following the uprising in Soweto. His trial did not commence until 1978 and lasted 18 months.

For most of this time Mothoeng was held in solitary confinement. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to 15 years aged 66. He was elected President of the PAC in 1986 whilst still in prison.

Mothopeng was released early from his prison term about a year before his death on 23rd October 1990. The following video is a clip of Zephaniah Mothopeng's son Johnny going to visit his father in 1982 with his future bride: