The demise of the UDF and popular power: its relevance to recovering our battered freedom
“The popular struggle for democracy has been replaced by a scramble for state posts. This has been but an effect of the ANC’s obsessive concern with ‘attaining state power’ as a pre-condition for democratisation, as opposed to the reverse position - the democratisation of politics and social relations as a prelude to the establishment of a democratic state - which was gradually being developed by the popular movements.” (Michael Neocosmos, “From Peoples’ Politics to State Politics: Aspects of National Liberation in South Africa”, in AO Olukoshi, ed., The Politics of Opposition in South Africa, Uppsala: Nordic Africa Institute, 1998: 195- 241).
Professor Raymond Suttner unpacks part five of his column 'The contribution of the UDF to freedom in South Africa'.
Read the previous articles in the series here
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