Anti-corruption UDF veterans make their point

ON THE eve of the 34th anniversary of the United Democratic Front, a group of activists who organised under the UDF banner in the 1980s have come out strongly against what they call “the scourge of corruption and the greed of a few” making clear that this weekend celebrations were happening separately from their concerns.

The group, who call themselves UDF veterans, say they are not part of the celebrations organised by the ANC and the Archie Gumede Foundation taking place in Rocklands, Mitchells Plain tomorrow. The group emphasised their main focus was eradicating corruption and building a just society.

The UDF was founded on August 20, 1983, bringing together hundreds of organisations which held the ideals of non-racism, non-sexism and unity among South Africans. The movement organised under the slogan “UDF unites, apartheid divides” and was dissolved in 1991 after the unbanning of the ANC and other liberation organisations.

The group of activists say that with the end of apartheid oppression was defeated but “new dangers emerged”.

“The scourge of corruption and the greed of the few threaten to erode the gains we have made by further entrenching inequality. Vested interests and a focus on wealth gain by an elite have hampered any efforts to ensure that the economy is transformed.” The group were part of the #UniteBehind Civil Society march which called for a vote of no-confidence against President Jacob Zuma two weeks ago.