Pan Africanist Youth Congress(PAYCO) is the youth wing of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) in South Africa. PAYCO was founded in 1981. It held its first congress in 1986. Formerly known as Azanian Youth Unity up to until 1997.
Its achievements include the formation of National Council of Trade Unions (NACTU), formation of Pan Africanist Student Organistion (PASO) and Pan-Africanist Student Movement of Azania (PASMA). PAYCO organization was critical in recruiting soldiers for the Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA) and for the PAC to reestablish itself as a major political party in Azania.
The PAC's opposition to the Freedom Charter created conflict with the African National Congress (ANC), which was a significant member of the United Democratic Front (UDF). Members of the UDF who supported the Charter, called charterists, killed many of their opposers by "necklacing" them, or burning them with gasoline-filled tires placed around their necks. The PAYCO was opposed to this treatment, further endangering themselves.
After the PAC's demise in 1986 following the death of Potlako Leballo, the PAYCO later played a role in resurrecting the PAC as the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania under the leadership of Uncle Zeph.