The Congress of the South African Trade Unions (COSATU) pays homage to the United Democratic Front (UDF) as we mark 41 years since its launch in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town.

More than 400 organisations including civic associations, trade unions, community-based organisations, religious groups, women’s, student and youth organisations came together to form the UDF with one goal – to establish a united, non-racial South Africa, in which society is freed from segregation, institutional and systemic racism.

On the day, the community hall in Rocklands overflowed as more than 10 000 attendees committed to changing the country’s trajectory under the slogan, ‘UDF Unites, Apartheid Divides’, congregated.

Decades later, what the popular front stood for still resonates and remains relevant as the struggle towards equality and social justice continues.

The formation of the UDF in 1983 and its continued existence until 1991, proved to be a pathway towards the unbanning of the African National Congress (ANC) and the attainment of the country’s democracy.

COSATU celebrates the leaders and members who were part of this movement, and acknowledges that while South Africa attained democratic freedom, we still have some way to go. Today’s subjugation has taken on the form of poverty, inequality and unemployment. The inability to participate in the economy is an injustice to the four out of 10 South Africans, and six out of 10 young people who currently cannot find work. The recent unemployment figures are a harrowing reflection of the levels of poverty that suffocate households.

Dabbed as one of the most unequal countries in the world, it is clear South Africa’s struggle is now for economic emancipation. To this end, the Federation will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the Social Relief of Distress Grant is ultimately transformed into the Basic Income Grant, and that the roll out of the National Health Insurance becomes a reality to ease the burden on the poor and the working class.

Interventions to stimulate the economy for the creation of jobs must be viewed as coherent to the principles of freedom, which the United Democratic Movement stood for.

The principles of the UDF must be perpetuated, not only by government but also by citizens, who by exercising their rights as stated in the constitution, and by rejecting any prejudice and oppression in their spaces, continue to honour the legacy of the UDF.

It is equally important that the current and future generations of leadership emulate the principles that the UDF fought and stood for. 

Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela(COSATU National Spokesperson)

Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639

Email: zanele@cosatu.org.za