Skip to main content

The armed struggle

The armed struggle was the guerrilla and sabotage campaign against apartheid after peaceful resistance failed post-Sharpeville (1960). It ended with suspensions in the early 1990s as talks led to democracy.

- **Poqo / APLA**: PAC's armed wing. Poqo (1961, "pure" in Xhosa) launched aggressive attacks targeting whites, police, and perceived collaborators — often civilians — with little regard for loss of life. Renamed APLA (1968), it continued into the 1990s with "soft-target" operations (civilian whites, public places) seen as payback for colonial oppression. Critics called it indiscriminate; supporters viewed it as total war on the system.

- **uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK)**: ANC's military wing (1961). Focused mainly on government/infrastructure targets (power stations, railways, police stations) to avoid civilian casualties early on, though some ops caused unintended deaths. More strategic and multi-racial approach. Suspended 1990, fully disbanded December 1993.

Poqo/APLA's approach was uncompromising and accepted higher civilian tolls as part of revolutionary justice; MK aimed to limit civilian harm while hitting the apartheid state hard.
"Back in the day, the armed struggle was real — MK hit the power stations while Poqo and APLA went straight for the “soft targets”
The armed struggle mug front
Get the The armed struggle mug.
See more merch
well known from south park
rednecks get angrry that future folk took there jobs so they yell
They took ouare jerbs!
Them future folk took ouare jerbs!
jerb by Jimberley Kim April 7, 2005
Word of the Day on May 22, 2026
An Irish phrase meaning shit, derived from ass
(Not to be confused with the literal description of one's buttocks)
"Did you hear the song Aylek$ dropped?"
"Hardly. Her music is absolute cheeks."

"My boyfriend say LaFlame is cheeks."
"Tell your boyfriend I said it's his mixtape that's cheeks."
Cheeks by thecartisan April 26, 2020
Word of the Day on May 21, 2026

sans sheriff 

Lawless use of fonts or typography, with no regard to aesthetics or legibility
I'm putting this CV straight in the bin. Written totally sans sheriff.
sans sheriff by Jamarley July 3, 2019
Word of the Day on May 20, 2026

Breadhead 

Someone who is addicted to obtaining money and building wealth. A money addict and fanatic. Breadheads often work more than one full-time job, and some even participate in illicit activities to "obtain the bread".
A breadhead is like a crackhead, but for money instead of crack.
Breadhead by 🅱️ U S 3 4 8 March 30, 2022
Word of the Day on May 19, 2026

Stink lines

As seen in illustrations or cartoons: Wavy, vertical lines rising above a person, place or thing. Denotes a foul odor.
"You didn't put enough stink lines on your picture of the teacher."
Stink lines by Athene Airheart March 14, 2004
Word of the Day on May 18, 2026

schmegegge 

Yiddish slang word meaning bullshit, baloney, hogwash, nonsense, crock of shit or hot air.
I don't buy the schmegegge about Morty sleeping with Moira.
His version of the story was pure schmegegge.
The whole schmegegge was made up to get Liz a little bit of attention.
schmegegge by budsbabe February 1, 2008
Word of the Day on May 16, 2026