By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
File Photo.
The African National Congress (ANC) has congratulated the United Democratic Front (UDF) on its 40th anniversary, which is celebrated on Sunday.
The ruling party said the UDF was a colossal organisation on which the governing party stood proudly on its shoulders and values.
On August, 20 in 1983, a large and diverse range of progressive forces met in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town in what became one of the turning points of South Africa’s history. On this day, the UDF was formed.
At the time, the apartheid machinery of oppression, political killings, bannings, and abductions was grinding viciously throughout society. At the time the ANC was exiled and with political bannings the order of the day, a large majority of South Africans were left in distress without a voice.
The ANC said that the church, which provided light and hope for the oppressed people was under the apartheid radar, its leaders threatened, poisoned, and killed.
The brutality of the apartheid system, the ANC remembered, extended to organized labour, youth and women’s organisations, the civic movement, academics, the legal fraternity, and the student movement.
During this period, while the ANC challenged the apartheid system and called on communities and all organised formations to render apartheid South Africa ungovernable and apartheid unworkable, the UDF was formed.
“The formation of the UDF shook the apartheid establishment at its core.
“Undeniably, the UDF played an important role in the liberation struggle. In the course, promoting values of commitment and dedication to the revolutionary cause including ethical leadership, non-racialism, and non-sexism, commitment to women leadership as epitomised by the leadership of Comrade Albertina Sisulu as one of UDF’s presidents, Comrades Cheryl Carolus, Sophie De Bruyn, Frances Baard, Ray Alexander Simons and many women of stature who dared the apartheid system,” the party said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the people of South Africa to carry on the legacy of the United Freedom Front (UDF) of “Active Citizenry for Change and Accountability” which has become a national symbol of solidarity and unity.
Ramaphosa was among those who participated in this high-level event alongside two former presidents, Thabo Mbeki, and Kgalema Motlanthe, struggle stalwart de Bruyn, and Popo Molefe, who attended the anniversary.
During his address, he saluted the UDF for their efforts against the apartheid regime and its crimes, brutality, and policies that were imposed on the people of South Africa.
He said the UDF represented many organisations across the country and united all races in action, streets, factories, churches, schools, and universities.
The mandate was clear, it was build up, empower people, promote personal agencies, and encourage people to play an active role in their communities,” he said.
He said that defining the UDF as a mass protest movement would be a half story.
“Lessons we can learn from the UDF, can not be confined to people taking to the streets,” he said. He added that the culture of community engagement and activism was perfected during the UDF era.
Under the motto, ‘UDF Unites, Apartheid Divides’, Ramaphosa said the organisation fought for a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and just society, when it was hard to find during the regime era where white minority ruled and dominated.
He urged all democrats to once more find resourceful ways to marshal their energies toward defending the democracy.
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