South Africa: The UDF And Township Revolts Flashcards
What was the political context at the time of township revolts?
-by 1983, many different activists wanted to take a stand against Botha’s proposed reformes
-they were concerned Botha was finding support for his new constitution
-UDF was formed
What was the main argument of the UDF?
They argued against Botha’s reforms an for a full democratic South Africa
What was the first act of the UDF?
To convince Indian and coloured voters to boycott votes in Botha’s new parliament
How successful were the UDF in convincing Indians and coloureds to boycott Botha’s new parliament?
- very successful: only 13% of Indians and 18% of coloured votes actually voted in elections
- it meant the 2 parliaments were unable to operate as a representative bodies
- showed the lack of support for the tricarneral system
-showed the failure of Botha’s reforms
When was the UDF set up?
1983
How many members did the UDF have?
3 million members
Blacks, Indians and coloureds
What was the UDF?
- a non-racial coalition of about 400 civil, church, student,worker and other organisations
- it was not a distinct organisation but an umbrella management of opposition
-aimed to fight for political representation
-one of the most important anti-apartheid organisations of the 1980s
What did the UDF adopt ?
The freedom charter
Explain the strong relationship between the UDF and the ANC
-because of the shared mission statement (Freedom Charter)
-throughout its existence, the UDF demanded the release of imprisoned ANC leaders
-they were never formally attached and the UDF never participated in the armed struggle
Why did the UDF have connections with the ANC other than because of the freedom charter
Through Winnie Mandela and Albertina Sisulu who were wives of jailed ANC leaders
Where and when did township revolts begin?
In 1984 demonstrations began in Transvaal
What was the significance of the demonstrations that began in Transvaal in 1984?
It marked the start of the longest and most widespread period of black resistance to white rule
How many people had been killed in political violence by the end of 1984?
150
How many people were killed in political violence by September 1985 as the revolts spread across the country?
600
What caused the initial demonstrations that led to the township revolts?
Local circumstances where bus fares increased for black women
What was the role of the UDF in the demonstrations in the township revolts?
-they had no direct role in protests
-they were aware of the social/political problems that affected people
-they mentioned the problems in speeches to get support for national campaigns
-they did not organise major campaigns
How was the UDF similar to Steve Biko?
The power was in its ideas
When did the UDF begin to get involved in the township revolts?
As a result of police violence and state repression
What did the state do as a result of UDF involvement in township revolts?
-they placed a lot of blame for the revolts on the UDF
-they began to arrest & detain UDF leaders in late 1984
Who took the lead in the township revolts?
-charterists
-they were more willing to use violent methods of protest
What stand of the UDF’s did many supporters not agree with?
Their non violent position
They would rather them be more confrontational
Name 3 UDF leaders who came from church background
Desmond Tutu
Allan Boesak
Frank Chikane
What did workers in townships do?
Begin to strike
How effective were worker strikes in townships?
Very effective with between 300’000 and 800’000 staying home
How did the UDF respond to worker strikes?
-they felt they should reconsider its position as it realised it had not acted quickly enough
-they didnt take a lead in riots but a lead and supported the call for a ‘black Christmas’
What was the purpose of the black christmas and what was it intended to do?
-to mourn those who had died in revolts and those in detention
-it wasn’t a call for consumer boycotts but for people to show self-sacrifice through not purchasing luxuries and not holding parties in December 1984
What was one action the UDF took in playing a bigger role in the townships?
Using funerals as an opportunity to address people
What was another form of protest that appeared continually after the Soweto Uprising in 1976?
School boycotts
How many children were absent from school in various parts of the country by the end of 1984?
200’000
What happened in March 1985 following a “black weekend”?
An explosion of resistance in the Eastern cape
Violence escalated and police killed 20 on their way to a funeral
What did the UDF do about the explosion of resistance in march 1985?
They again played no role in
What happened as a result of the police killing 20 people on their way to a funeral when there was an explosion of resistance in 1985?
-more riots
-the killing of a councillor and his family
-mass action around the funerals which were attended by between 35000-60000 people
After the police killings and the killing of a councillor and his family in 1985, what did the UDF do in response?
-they condemned police violence and called for a day of mourning
-they called for non-violence on the side of the people unless it was ‘defensive violence’
What did the government do in response to the explosion of violence in 1985?
-increased their attacks on the UDF and arrested leaders in preparation for a new treason trial
-state stopped UDF & some affiliates from holding indoor meetings
-killing by the security police increased
What did the government do in July 1985?
- they imposed a state of emergency
-sent soldiers to quell resistance in townships
How did the UDF respond to the increased police action and government state of emergency?
On 2 levels:
-to build on the ground, democratic “organisations of peoples power”
- to build a united front across all democratic organisations at a national level
What did grassroots organisations do in townships?
-began to build their own structures to look at day to day runnings of their lives
-they formed street and block committees
- organised ‘people’s courts’ and even put clean-up crews in place on streets and built peoples parks
