Critically assess the role played by the UDF, MDM, civic
organisations, churches, students, and women in
mobilising the grassroots against the Apartheid
government, from 1979 to 1989.
By 1979, the Wiehahn Commission (1977) had been established to engage in labour
reform. The Labour Relations Act of 1979 also resulted in black workers being able
to form registered trade unions and engage in legal strike action. Trade Unions
greatly influenced and affiliated with other resistance groups, which played a
significant role in the fight against Apartheid. This is evident in the actions of the
United Democratic Front (UDF), Mass Democratic Movement (MDM), civic
organisations churches, students, and women.
, Consolidation:
UDF
Overview:
v Coalition of various anti-apartheid organisations, established in direct opposition
to introduction of tricameral parliament and petty reforms in 1984
v For the Freedom Charter
Leaders:
v UDF didn’t have a single leader from 1983 - 1991
v Prominent leaders associated/affiliated with the UDF included:
v Archbishop Desmond Tutu
v Allan Boesak
v Frank Chikane
v Albertina Sisulu, and many others
Aims:
v To coordinate internal resistance to Apartheid
Actions & Direct Achievements:
v Don't Vote Campaign
Ø Lower voter turnout + referendum credibility undermined
v Million Signature Campaign
Ø Raised awareness and mobilised mass resistance
v Unified opposition to Tricameral Parliament and NP
Ø promoted popular uprising making Apartheid unworkable
v Marches, strikes, boycotts organised\
Ø Collective actions undermined gov and bus.
organisations, churches, students, and women in
mobilising the grassroots against the Apartheid
government, from 1979 to 1989.
By 1979, the Wiehahn Commission (1977) had been established to engage in labour
reform. The Labour Relations Act of 1979 also resulted in black workers being able
to form registered trade unions and engage in legal strike action. Trade Unions
greatly influenced and affiliated with other resistance groups, which played a
significant role in the fight against Apartheid. This is evident in the actions of the
United Democratic Front (UDF), Mass Democratic Movement (MDM), civic
organisations churches, students, and women.
, Consolidation:
UDF
Overview:
v Coalition of various anti-apartheid organisations, established in direct opposition
to introduction of tricameral parliament and petty reforms in 1984
v For the Freedom Charter
Leaders:
v UDF didn’t have a single leader from 1983 - 1991
v Prominent leaders associated/affiliated with the UDF included:
v Archbishop Desmond Tutu
v Allan Boesak
v Frank Chikane
v Albertina Sisulu, and many others
Aims:
v To coordinate internal resistance to Apartheid
Actions & Direct Achievements:
v Don't Vote Campaign
Ø Lower voter turnout + referendum credibility undermined
v Million Signature Campaign
Ø Raised awareness and mobilised mass resistance
v Unified opposition to Tricameral Parliament and NP
Ø promoted popular uprising making Apartheid unworkable
v Marches, strikes, boycotts organised\
Ø Collective actions undermined gov and bus.
