“What makes the UDF tick”. This is a primary question which the author poses in the article. To answer the question, the present article touches on various aspects of the United Democratic Front which constitutes a major component of anti-apantheid movement in South Africa: 1. A driving force behind the formation of the Front. 2. Philosophy of the movement and structure on which it is based, 3. A Brief history of the movement in phases.
Firstly, three factors are identified which precipitated the formation of the UDF. 1) Reform initiative of P. W. Botha, 2) ANC's move in the underground to recruit cadres for subversion, 3) Emergence of the democratic organizations in the Community.
Secondly, two factors are identified to give an account of the UDF resilience against the state action, 1) Popularity of the Front in the community. The Front inherits spirit of Defiance Campaign of the 1950's (struggle for the political rights and social welfare of Blacks) and is an outcome of that Campaign, the Freedom Charter (determined commitment for non-racial, democratic and undivided South Africa). 2) Structure of the Front. Front is represented primarily by community organizations of various nature (education, civic, church, constituency-based, etc). The Front's detained leaders have been replaced by younger and more militant activists. On the other hand, national leadership gave an inspiration and national direction to the mass struggle in the community.
Thirdly, the record of the UDF movement since its inception is divided into four historical phases.
1) The formation and national campaign (mid 1983-mid 1984). The Front strove to get across its message that an introduction of Tricameral system is yet another “divide and rule” strategy of the state against the oppressed masses.
2) The Community campaign and uprising (late 1984-mid 1985). The Front affiliates in the community led mass actions such as various forms of boycotts and stayaways to protest against the state apartheid measures and police action in the community.
3) Peoples' power: its emergence and set-back (late 1985-mid 1986). The Front affiliates inched towards cementing the democratic structure to fill a vacuum left by the collapsing Black local anthority. Its set-back became apparent, however, when the state military might moved in to overwhelm poor organizational infrastructure of peoples' power.
4) Under the Emergency regulations: struggle for survival (late 1986-present time). The Front became increasingly and severely fragmented and contained against the state and vigilantes actions. The National leadership of the Front led the way to break the impasse. Its effort culminated in mobilizing campaigns, inter alia, against White community inside and outside South Africa.
The article ends with a quotation from Mandela's speech, “No Easy walk to Freedom”.
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