Sharpeville massacre

Robert Sobukwe. 'This is the call the African people have been waiting for! It has come! On Monday, 21 March 1960, we launch our positive, decisive campaign against the pass laws in this our country.' Thus spoke Mangaliso Sobukwe, three days before Sharpville. South Africa had started a new phase in history. Three days before the Pan-Africanist leaders started their non-violent campaign to reserve Apartheid. Mangaliso Sobukwe made his intention clear in a letter to the commisioner of Police: 'I have given strict instructions,' he said, 'not only to members of my organisation but also to the African people in general, that they should not allow themselves to be provoked into violent action by anyone.' And so, on the appointed day, Monday, March 21 thousands of Pan Africanists reported to the police without their passes and asked to be arrested. Their object was to demonstrate the force