TOMORROW marks 33 years since the establishment of the United Democratic Front, a movement which created the basis for co-ordinated mass action across the fault lines of colour, race, class, religion and ideology, which were the dominant features of apartheid.
On August 20, 1983, in the Rocklands Civic Centre in Mitchells Plain, the UDF was launched to oppose the so-called Koornhof Bills, which were drawn up to regulate the movement and residence of African people outside the homelands and increase the powers of black municipal councils and the Tricameral Parliament, which though still dominated by whites, would have separate chambers for coloureds and Indians.
The movement was able to create an organisational front that allowed for multiple identities and ideologies to co-exist for a common purpose, was able to create a single political focus that eclipsed the many debates that could divide a liberation movement and was able to reach out to diverse communities – African, coloured, Indian and even white – experiencing various forms and degrees of oppression and bringing them together against a common enemy.
The organisation opened its first branches in present-day Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal following a call by Allan Boesak at a congress of the Transvaal Anti-South African Indian Council in May 1983.
Three national presidents were named at its inauguration – Archie Gumede, Oscar Mpetha and Albertina Sisulu. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Boesak, Helen Joseph, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Govan Mbeki were patrons. Popo Molefe was appointed general secretary and Patrick “Terror” Lekota publicity secretary.
The UDF wanted to establish a democracy in which all South Africans could participate and create a single, non-racial South Africa. The organisation established itself as one of the most prominent political movements in South Africa with more than 600 affiliated organisations.
While the youth and some trade unions such as Cosatu rallied behind the UDF, the organisation initially lacked support from white organisations. It was towards the end of the 1980s that their support grew considerably.
The UDF played a large role in starting consumer boycotts and stayaways, and in 1983 launched the “one million signatures” campaign to show the extent of opposition to the Koornhof legislation.
Veteran activist Amy Thornton described the formation of the UDF as a change in the country’s political landscape.
Thornton, one of the organisers of the historic mass Women’s March of August 9, 1956 to the Union Buildings, and who chaired several meetings for the UDF, said the organisation grew like wildfire and was well received by anti-apartheid organisations.
“Many people were so excited when it was formed. It was also supported by some unions and then later received international support. I think part of the excitement was because people were desperate for change,” she said.
Former UDF activist and now ANC Western Cape secretary Faiez Jacobs said: “We always knew the UDF was the internal wing of the ANC, but the UDF had a strong community-based organisational approach.
“The UDF was everything to everyone. You had your gay community which was seeking recognition. They were part of the UDF. You had your Cape Action Housing Committee, which fought for housing and service delivery. You had the United Women’s Organisation, which fought for gender equality… your student congresses which fought against apartheid education.
“Every issue, every problem you had, there were all of these formations and the one thing the UDF did was bring them together and co-ordinate mass action.”
He said the UDF taught young activists how to mobilise, chair a meeting, speak in public and take on leadership roles.
“It was ordinary people doing extraordinary things. There were many of us during that time.
"The one thing I felt was a sense of purpose that despite our challenges, despite where we are, we shall overcome, justice shall prevail.”