UDF vets ‘awaken’, reactivate networks

A GROWING number of United Democratic Front (UDF) veterans have been mobilising in recent weeks as a response to the serious political and economic challenges in the country.

The UDF was launched 34 years ago on August 20, 1983. It brought together over 400 organisations committed to the ideal of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, equitable and democratic South Africa.

The UDF embraced the vision of a constitutional democracy in which elected leaders would uphold the values and principles needed to build a just and equitable society. The UDF was dissolved on August 20, 1991 following the unbanning of the ANC and other liberation movements.

Perhaps the greatest legacy of the UDF to the people of South Africa is that it promoted the notion of “participatory democracy” – the idea that for society to function well and to build trust and confidence in leadership required the active participation of citizens in making the decisions that impact their lives.

The newly elected government was initially mindful of this principle, but this was soon eroded, leaving us with a leadership which, over time, has become less and less accountable to the citizens.

It is the legacy of participation, engagement and education of the people of South Africa in the face of repression and oppression that we celebrate today. Thankfully, the repression and oppression borne of apartheid has been overcome, but new dangers have 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 to be inclusive and socially equitable.

The past few weeks have seen a resurgence of civil society action focused on the recall of Jacob Zuma. On August 7, more than 6 000 people marched to Parliament under the banner of a civil society coalition #UniteBehind, urging ANC MPs to listen to their consciences and remove a “deeply corrupt president and the parasitic network which had attached itself to him”. His removal was not to be, but the vote sent a clear message to the ruling party.

The march was a rallying point for a significant number of UDF veterans who recognise the need to mobilise again for a more equitable future and a better life for all citizens. The UDF veterans working alongside #UniteBehind recognise the need to support the strengthening of grassroots networks and organisations which are committed to fighting corruption and building a just society.

As UDF veterans we have very quickly reactivated old, established networks. Before our march to Parliament, we delivered a letter to the NPA offices in Cape Town, addressed to the head of the NPA, Shaun Abrahams, noting the failure of the NPA to act in terms of its constitutional mandate to root out corruption and criminal activity within the state.

Noting that on September 15 the Supreme Court of Appeal will be hearing the NPA’s appeal against charges being reinstated against Jacob Zuma on 783 counts of corruption, we are demanding that the NPA must immediately:

Withdraw its appeal and prosecute Jacob Zuma.

Prosecute all ministers, officials, board members and civilians who received or paid bribes, submitted inflated tenders, received or awarded tenders without due process and institute asset forfeiture proceedings against all those who benefited financially in any manner from the above illegal activities.

Subsequently, more veterans have engaged with the process through a series of house meetings and communication groups. Close to 200 people have already been reached through this process.

As a start, the UDF veterans together with #UniteBehind are committed to:

1 Expand the NPA Petition/ campaign.

Organise to get more signatures endorsing the petition.

Demand responses from the NPA.

2 Link the corruption charges to community struggles as corruption impacts directly on the life of the poor. For example, corruption within Sassa impacts directly on the benefits of pensioners and other social grant recipients.

1980s activists who organised under the banner of the UDF.