Number 19, August 2003
Feature Theme. Legacy of the UDF
20 YEARS SINCE THE LAUNCH OF THE UNITED DEMOCRATIC FRONT
A Great victory! - President OR Tambo
The origins and significance of the UDF - Revd Frank
Chikane
The UDF and the Struggle for National Democracy - Steve
Tshwete
Participatory democracy: the legacy of the UDF in the
Eastern Cape - Mkhuseli Jack and Janet Cherry
Young lions rise - the birth of SAYCO
Unions and the UDF
- Extracts from interviews with Sydney Mufamadi, Dave
Lewis and Siza Njikelana.
- SACTU welcomes COSATU
- COSATU on the United Front
AZASO and COSAS inspire Education Charter Campaign
Unity of the democratic forces. The Vaal stayaway - Jean
Middleton
NUSAS and the UDF - Kate Philip and Brendan Barry
UDF unites, reflections from the white areas - Graeme
Bloch
UDF discussion documents
- Why we organise
- The errors of populism
- Errors of workerism
The UDF and township revolt - Mark Swilling
DEBATING THE ISSUES
Teaching religion or teaching religions - Rev. Mayson
South Africa: Paradise with earthly problems - Vyacheslav
Tetekin
National Youth Service: Addressing the challenge of
youth unemployment - Carmel Marock
Foxing the minotaur - Phumla Mnganga
Participatory democracy and the Budget - Joan Fubbs
Quarantine and feel sorry for these GMOs - Prof PDS
Stewart
UMRABULO POLITICAL EDUCATION SERIES
Introduction to the series
Part 1: Understanding basic economics - [PDF]
READERS FORUM
Does our transition have any timeframes - Monde
Keke
Building a new cadre - Nathi Mthethwa
Debate on the Motive forces - Amie S. Molelekwa
THEY FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM
Women stand together: the life of Dora Tamana
BOOK REVIEWS
History of the UDF - Jeremy Seekings
Sunset at Midday. Latshon' ilang' emini! - Govan Mbeki
My Spirit is not banned - Frances Baard
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On 20 August 1983, thousands of activists and community leaders from across the country gathered at Rocklands Civic Centre in Mitchell's Plain to launch the United Democratic Front. They represented civics, youth, students, women, unions, religious, professional and a range of other organisations -united by a common opposition to apartheid. In the eight years of its existence (1983-1991), the UDF gave form and coherence to struggles ranging from the most local of issues, to broad national political demands for the unbanning of the ANC, release of political prisoners and an end to apartheid.
The front character enabled it to unite the broadest range of forces, as it deepened the pillar of internal mass mobilisation. This tactic of broadening the front of struggle whilst at the same time deepening struggle has been used consistently throughout the history of our movement. The late cde Steve Tshwete recalls examples of this tactic - referring to the Alexandra Bus Boycott of 19 and to the Congress Alliance of the 1950's.
Key to the success of any broad front is the identification of issues that can unite in action the broadest spectrum of forces from amongst the people. Another factor is ongoing political work by the most conscious elements within the various organisations and sectors that make up the front. The conditions for the formation of a front were ripe in 1983. Valli Moosa, a then executive member of the UDF, quoted in Sunset at Midnight by Govan Mbeki asserted: "if you were opposed to the Tricameral parliament, to Black Local Authorities and the Bantustan system, if you thought apartheid was bad and it needed to go, then you could join the UDF."
More importantly, following the 1976 uprising and its subsequent repression by the apartheid regime, the ANC had an important strategic review in 1978/79 where it resolved to help organise and give guidance to mass organisations amongst all sections of the people. "Given that the apartheid regime sought to divide and narrow the support base of the national liberation movement", argued Govan Mbeki (op. cit.), "a wide ranging popular front had to be created. Each and every expression of opposition to the regime had, therefore, to be embraced as part of the movement's common purpose.'
This was reflected in the more than 700 organisations that affiliated to the UDF during its first year. And as the struggle on all fronts intensified, more and more local and sectoral organisations were formed and joined the UDF. Local sectoral organisations united to form national sectoral organisations - most importantly the South African Youth Congress (launched in 1987), various national professional organisations and less successfully the UDF Women's Congress (UDFCO). Although many trade unions did not affiliate to the UDF, after the formation of COSATU in 1985, a strong working relationship in action developed between the UDF and the trade union movement.
Amongst the most important lessons from the short existence of the UDF, is therefore the need to at all times build the unity of our people -whether it is to defeat apartheid, or to transform our country and create a better life for all.
As we salute the millions of our people who united behind the UDF, especially those who paid the ultimate price, we should as we enter the Second Decade of Freedom, unite our people to decisively eradicate the legacy of colonialism, racism, sexism and apartheid.
Umrabulo is a forum for debate. The contents and views do not necessarily express the policies of the ANC or the views of the Editorial collective.
The Political Education and Training Unit wishes to acknowledge the following people for their contribution to this edition:
Umrabulo Editorial Collective: Naph Manana, Joel Netshitenzhe, Pallo Jordan,
Jeremy Cronin, Mandla Nkomfe and Fébé Potgieter.
Layout and Design: Donovan Cloete, ANC Communications Unit
Proofing and Editing: Diana Cumberledge
Logo: Creativity
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a. Articles published in Umrabulo 1-17; or
b. Letters to the Editor
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