UNITED DEMOCRATIC FRONT

evaluation or natal region

PRELIMINARY REPORT: 4 NOVEMBER 1984

1. OBJECTIVES OF EVALUATION•• if

1.1 To obtain such information from Individuals and organisations as would.i>e necessary .to make an evaluation of the UDF.

1.2 To assess the need for changes in

1.2.1 structures and co-ordination.. .1.2.2 staffing/personnel.’

- - ;,U2.3jP.decisipn-nBk,in^ processes*v . , s r

1.2.4 relationship'with affiliates.. ] r ^ 5 > 5 ^ 9 ^ an̂ r*̂ sicafnpaignsi.;. : • r:1.2.6 organisational role of UDF.

• « t Mrt;,. - r.--.? V:::v v •• 1.3 To Identify our weaknesses so that we night eliminate them and

strengthen our work overall.

2. METHOD OF EVALUATION

2 . 1 Interyiews{rwith,officials . .Hi2.2 Interviews with R & C members. ^ -2.3 Interviews'with outside persons by press.2.4 Questionnaires to affiliates (not many returned).2.5 Workshops'for activists (did not materialise). .

3. PROBLEMS IN EVALUATION

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3.1 Although the Committee met regularly and frequently, the announcement of the August elections and the planning for the anti-election campaign interrupted the work of the Coranittee.As a result the work of this Cownittee Is Incomplete. More .• effort should have been put into completing the evaluation before

..-the. fcqmmencement of .the anti-el ection .campaign.. • *. ,* . • ' « . . • • • • ..*• • #( •!•,* *' **#i * il '? *• * • ** * • * *' "*•* » •

3.2 Lack of co-operation ,from affiliates, in returning .the !*valuatlon questionnaires hampered progress. To date not more.than 10 have

/ returned. r6iput of oyer 1DD sent out. More follow-up of r .-V'--ouestippriaires~itjou 1 d -have led, ̂ better, response.-. The ,

-> ̂ 1/^t..questl.onna 1 re was loo long ahd^odpTex .- also.-no 2ulu . .translation was provided. ’ j:ji- ■ ... y.-n

• •' vruryr '(•■v-l-'v ; ; c r > 1-4. HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF, Ub'F; FORMATION

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'.It'. ?4.1 Important to understand, because will explain some of the objective

and subjective factors which gave us the type/quality of front we

had - and also the reasons for scae tff^He“weaknesses we have today.

4.1.1 Objective Factors;i . .. . VC,»*tJjS’iI 4.1.1.1 The Increasing militancy of the people. * •| 4.1.1.2 Increasing crisis In the state.

4.1.1.3 wide-spread, thou^k fragmented development of organisations throughout the country.

4.1.1.4 The imposition of the constitution - acting • as ;a r catalyst.

• • ? *.... 4 . 1 . 2 Subjective Factors:

. ;. -••4.1.2.1 Activists and leaiership inexperienced and •

underdeveloped.

4.1.2.2 No experience of wtional co-operation, 1 low level of cohes1ve*5s.

4.1.2.3 Limited experience 1n operating a national structure.

4.1.2.4 Very limited-political organising experience.

in4.1^2.5'r‘Weak; organisational structures generally,

OBJECTIVES OF UDF '-f. ...V? ™

5.1 Reasons for Formation:• r

5.1.1 Urgent need to neutralise tie dangers posed by .the., constitutional proposals u i Koomhoff Bills.

5.1.2 Prevent the co-opt Ion of Wia n s and Coloureds and their isolation from Africans.

5.1.3 Need for unity and a natiaal organisation.

5.2 Objectives:M - • • **•’“: ~ ‘ .

Flowing-from abov6i: r.-.i.i- * * '■ r y j. - * . • .

5.3.'.Conmentc ***-/ ”*" p j r .. .

5.3.1 Because of repression and onsequent absence of organisations- tii-.channeling the political «s|irations of our people - very

*:! hihjb expectations of UDF tirach could not always be met.•f . .yf» * S-li.

5.3.2 Lack*, of-sufficient'appreciation of the nature and limitations .1 jdf-a-front, eg,.most people joining front - adherents ot the

freedom charter - could no* understand why the charter could not be program of UDF

5.3.3 Lack of differentiation between Issues which could be tackled by front and that which a Weal or 1ssue-or1ented. structure .*

• should take up.;f:- -• ;! ** : "T. . ; ‘— — - * ^ * i r . *

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5.3.4 --{hanged xircumstartces now Wo'ul'd 'demand a review of . inmediate objectives and a consequent change 1n the

• -v*; -prograro of action.

* : \ <r '• ■> r". •••:•.•: -i f •. .•

6. FRONTS AND POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS

6.1 Approach to struggle:

C1aHty-‘on the question of which’ Is the most appropriate fonn of ' organisation for our struggle at this stage It Is important-to •have increasing clarity among our ranks of questions such as:

6.1.1 What 1s wrong with apartheid? ' ■'* •*'' *'•

6.1*2 Vhat kind bfiociety’dowe want? ' ' •**• J . * ' * "j • . ‘ ♦.»«. ». .Vi

6.1.3 How are we going to bring about change?

6.1.4 What 1s the role of Organisation 1n‘th1s: process? . - ' '

6.1.5 WhaV areT W e st’agexlh'.’the" development of : ■*' V; y/' organisation and struggle? •f ~ r •' r- ?

j6.1.6 What is the most appropriate form of organisation and .

struggle at this stage? ' : ..'___ 5

There ?‘1s: an*' urgent’ need ’ fpr more’Workshops’* and, other *' educational forums to promote a greater pol itica 1 awareness'* "generally and pn front politics specifically.

6.2 Limited Experience:’ " ’•* * *’

6J2.1 ' Ho previous experience among current generation of. ’ "1t * political activists of working w1th/1n fronts. * " :

6.2.2 Few, if any, reievant examples to refer to.

6.2.3 'Limited practical experience of organisation. ~ •

6.3 Front'appropriate, but!..: • 1

6.3.1 Tfie front form remains an appropriate/form, for foreseeable future. v? *

6.3.2 The urgent need to;organise our people - makes this an ’’- added responsibility of the front.

6.3.3 The front itself can and must be broadened further.. - «'! • - - * : • ? - -CJ' . .• • •*•*-' - i • ?

7. ORGANISATION: A;VITAL RQfcEvj*I1 ,-y: : ** « * * - * « w - i&xiV ’• : . - • *5;i M* r+

7.1 There can be no "struggle" against apartheid without an organised• * - “J 2» *. - I * v-% «•••». .. ; ' -... . Ipeople;- • • - s j ::*. a ** :_*‘v .. • .

s.”!■■■ Ji . . .

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7.2 Our success must be measured against the criterion - for • what purpose are we mobilising and organising our people?

7.3 The task of organising then will be an added task of-the front.

7.4 Appropriate resources need to be allocated for this purpose.

AFFILIATES ...... • *... •• —, j . • • • • . . J - #

8.1 .The relationship between the front and the.affil1ates requires direction' and regular maintenance. • v ..

• • . • • *

8.2 Urgent need to redefine this’relationship and make 1t a • r •! more dynamic and meaningful one.

8.3 Need to work out programs for the active participation of the membership of the affiliates. : ~ - * . ! -

8.4 There has not been adequate opportunity to assess the Impact of "UDF work" on programs of affiliates.

. C..hv.\r ..-'.V *.• "• •*»:*; • .. *' .i ,.|:r * #;;8.5 The UDF must play some role in advising and assisting

affiliates to grow stronger^' .<» •

INVOLVEMENT IN -OTHER' ISSUES ;• ; rr*: •';f4* i:

9.1 Although the UDF is a front, it is not possible to exclude involvements other ("non-prograraed")tissues. ■

9.2 However, there is a need to developa set of criteria to quide UDF in selecting w' -it issues to become involved- ini

9.3 Suggested criteria to determine issues in which Involvement 1s required:’ * •

. ; * * • ’ . • • . • ; ? : *

• 9.3.1 1s issue related to prisary objectives of UDF?. . i • • -

9.3.2 are substantial number of people affected by issue?

9.3.3 is a substant-r.l part of UDF constituency affected?* • • . V • •

,9.3.4 does it afford us the opportunity to organise new ••‘"Areas'or bring in new affiliates to the UDF?

9.3.5 are there any serious repercussions?* * *-•>• • ■ •****:♦ -,:.f

9.4 Suggested criteria to determine type of involvement:

9.4.1-'{UDF:‘iiust-not substitute for role of iocal,-organisation.

9.4.2 Direct involvement should be limited and aimed at •building an organisational structure to .handle the Issue.'.

t Sf.4.3 L¥adefthip and control over issue must remain with local people and structure.

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10. STRUCTURES

10.1 We need greater clarity on the roles of R G C & R E C and also of Chairman, Secretaries,.Treasurers, etc.

10.2 There should be a regular slot for sub-committees to report a t R G C & R E C meetings. .... -

10.3 Need for full-time paid Secretary to act as co-ordinator for all activists, ensure that meetings take place regularly and that there is good communication between all structures.

10.4 Notices of meetings and agendas jnust reach people in time.^ .• -if. v **T. 7 X V10.5 We need to be much more disciplined to ensure meetings

startcon time and are structured so that there canbe• maximum participation (use of group discussions and'buzz • " groups). Even small details like the arrangement of the meeting room can have an Important aeffect on participation*

10.6 When the Executive members drop out or are unavailable for long periods (e.g. because of detention) the General Council must elect people to replace them at least until the next A G M.

11. RECOMMENDATIONS

11.01 An assessment of new conditions required.

11.02 New strategic direction to be determined.

11.03 Appropriate set of objectives to be defined.

11.04 New program of action to be formulated.

11.05 Organising our region the priority

11.05.1 The Front: •

- increase number of organisations in front

11.05.2 The People (Urban and Rural):

. - appropriate forms of organisations In all areas.- rural areas - a priority.- African areas - a priority

11.05 Need to develop a correct approach to Inkatha.

11.07 Training of activists, etc urgent

11.07.1 Political training11.07.2 Organisational training11.07.3 Skill training

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• a ao " •• • . *■ ’ *-!i .tij V t f*JJJ *** i11*08 Press liaison to be strenothpnprit •

11.09 Administration -need for a new more efficient system;

11.10 Personnel - full-time secretarial and organising staff* • urgently need.-^j;-- ••

i . i fr I - - . ■ x '

f. more direct participation at all levels of UDF work from officials required. 7 '

11.11 Continue to build greater comradeship/understanding • ana cohesiveness within region and nationally.

11.12 Affiliates:, their position-and roie 1n UDF-and programs '.\i}l t-*.- for their p a r t i c i p a t i o n . v i v

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Collection Number: AK2117 DELMAS TREASON TRIAL 1985 - 1989 PUBLISHER: Publisher:-Historical Papers, University of the Witwatersrand Location:-Johannesburg ©2012

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