STATEMENT: REPLY TO FOUNDERS OF UDF
Hi Comrades,
I have read and applied myself to the statement you sent to me. I have no objection to any of its contents but I do NOT feel inspired to attach my signature to this document.
The UDF was founded to oppose Apartheid and the slogan of the UDF cannot be used against anything in this democratic order. If any front was formed today it can only be against some other different but current evil in society. Why would we want to deny South Africans the right of forming a front to tackle what in their view is an evil inimical to the interests of society?
We must remember that fronts have been formed at various stages of our history of struggle against evils of different kinds. These were for short, medium or long term. Examples include the 1935 opposition to the land act, the front against fascism in the late 1930's and then of course the UDF against PW Botha's so-called New Deal. It is probable that today and tomorrow South Africans will continue to revert to this tried and tested tactic to advance what struggles they undertake!
Finally, as I said earlier on, I am humbled by and inclined to follow the example of those veterans of our struggle who were at the Congress of the People (Kliptown) in 1955, who did NOT prevent us from using the name Congress of the People when we formed COPE!
Otherwise, good luck going forward!
Sincerely,
Mosiuoa Lekota
Text of statement by various founders on supposed relaunch of UDF, August 18 2012
STATEMENT ON SUPPOSED RELAUNCH OF THE UNITED DEMOCRATIC FRONT
We, the undersigned, were all instrumental in the establishment of the United Democratic Front. We were central to the organization of the launch at Rocklands Civic Centre in Mitchells Plain, on 20 August 1983. We were also members of the National Executive Committee and of various Regional Executive committees during the life of the UDF between 1983 and its dissolution in 1990.
We were involved in the democratic decisions taken on a range of organizational matters as diverse as the colours, the logo, the "UDF Unites, Apartheid Divides" slogan. We were party to decisions on the Guiding Principles. We raised the necessary resources. We were detained for various lengthy periods in the service of our people and the UDF.
We regard ourselves as among the custodians of the rich and dynamic history of the UDF. Consequently, we must guard against the opportunistic and ahistorical use of the symbols of the UDF, especially for what appears to be nefarious interests.
We were not approached on the supposed relaunch of the UDF. If we were, we would have declined participation. We have taken legal opinion on the intention of Mario Wanza, or any other individual or grouping purporting to act in the name of the UDF, and to make use of its symbols. We recognise that we cannot prevent any individual or grouping using the colours red, black and yellow; but we can prevent its use together with the name and logo of the UDF. The three words; united, democratic and front were carefully chosen and have huge symbolic meaning for South Africans.
In short, no individual has the right to relaunch an entity, whose leadership at the time, after consultation with affiliates and regions, took a democratic decision to dissolve. Of course, the democracy we won entitles individuals to establish and launch organizations of whatever nature, but no individual or group of individuals has the right to relaunch the United Democratic Front.
We will take steps to prevent our history being gobbled by opportunists.
Statement supported by the following as of 18 August 2012:
Murphy Morobe, Valli Moosa, Popo Molefe, Pravin Gordhan, Trevor Manuel, Lechesa Tsenoli, Joe Paahla, Zou Kota Fredericks, Jeremy Cronin, Nomaindia Mfeketo, Stone Sizane, Lucille Meyer, Samson Ndou, Paul Matshatile
Source: COPE, August 18 2012
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