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POPO MOLEFE and PATRICK LEKOTA

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POPO MOLEFE and PATRICK LEKOTA GM:CMT:232B 141086(1) ¥.2 6: UNITED DEMOCRATIC FRONT CONFERENCE, CAPE TOWN 20 AUGUST 19 8 3 ACCUSED PRESENT: POPO MOLEFE and PATRICK LEKOTA This transcript must be read together with Transcript VI. Both are concerned with the launch of the UNITED DEMOCRATIC FRONT. There appears to have been confusion in the transcription as portions of the transcript of VI are duplicated in V26. The apparent reason for the confusion between VI and V26 is that no evidence in respect of the transcripts was led. it appears that these tapes were simply found in the possession of YUNUS MOHAMED. No evidence was led as to the method of recording. It appears that the launch of the UDF took place in two parts, a public session which was open to all - 2- people and a closed session, which dealt with the working principles and declaration. V26 is primarily concerned with the latter. 4. A series of resolutions were adopted at the conference dealing, inter alia, with the Group Areas Act (P 14), Housing Policy Ip 17), workers and the cost of living (p 18), Education (p 50), Militarization (P 59), Namibia (p 61), Women (p 63), Imperialism (p 64) and Detention (p 69). 5. A draft declaration of the UDF was read out by ELLEN LAMBERT. It read as follows: We, the freedom-loving people of South Africa, say with one voice to the whole world: We cherish the dream o£ building a united democratic South Africa, based on the will of the people, will strive for unity of all our people through united action against the evils of apartheid and in our march to a free and just South Africa, we are guided by these noble ideals. We stand for the creation of a true democracy rn which all South Africans w i n participate in the government of our country, we stand for a Single non-racia! South Africa, a South Africa free of bantustans and group areas. We say, all forms of oppression and exploitation must end. In accordance with these noble ideals and - 3- on this 20th day of August 1983 at Rocklands Civic Centre, Mitchells Plain. We join hands as community, women, students, religious, sporting organizations and trade unions to say No to apartheid. Hence the Republic of South Africa Constitution Bill, a bill which will create yet another undemocratic constitution in the country of our birth. No to the Koornhof Bills which will deprive more and more African people of their birthright. Yes to the birth of the United Democratic Front. On this historic day we know that this government is determined to break the unity of our people. That our communities will . face greater hardships, that Africans, Coloured and Indian areas will be cut off from the wealth they produce in the cities. That rent and other basic charges will increase and our living standards will fall. That working people will be divided. African from Coloured and Indians, urban from rural, employed from unemployed, men from women, low wages, poor working conditions, attacks on our trade unions will continue. Students will continue to suffer under unequal education. Ethnic control and unequal facilities will remain. Apartheid will still be felt in our classrooms. The religious and cultural life of our people will be harmed. The sins of apartheid will continue to be stamped on the culture and religion of our People. The oppression of women will continue. Racial discrimination against women will not end. Women will suffer greater hardships under the new pass laws. Women will be divided from their children. Poverty and malnutrition will continue to disrupt family - 4 - on this 20th day of August 1983 at Rocklands Civic Centre, Mitchells Plain. We join hands as community, women, students, religious, sporting organizations and trade unions to say No to apartheid. Hence the Republic of South Africa Constitution Bill, a bill which will create yet another undemocratic constitution in. the country of our birth. No to the Koornhof Bills which will deprive more and more African people of their birthright. Yes to the birth of the United Democratic Front. On this historic day we know that this government is determined to break the unity of our people. That our communities will face greater hardships, that Africans, Coloured and Indian areas will be cut off from the wealth they produce in the cities. That rent and other basic charges will increase and our living standards will fall. That working people will be divided. African from Coloured and Indians, urban from rural, employed from unemployed, men from women, low wages, poor working conditions, attacks on our trade unions will continue. Students will continue to suffer under unequal education. Ethnic control and unequal facilities will remain. Apartheid will still be felt in our classrooms. The religious and cultural life of our people will be harmed. sins of apartheid will continue to be stamped on the culture and religion of our people. The oppression of women will continue. Racial descrimination against women will not end. Women will suffer greater hardships under the new pass laws. Women will be divided from their children. Poverty and malnutrition will continue to disrupt family - 5- life. The brunt of apartheid will still be carried by our women. Non-racial sport will suffer. There will be less money for the building of sports facilities and forced separation will deal non-racial sport a further blow. we know that apartheid will continue. That white domination will rule the lives of many. That forced removals, the Group Areas and the bantustans will remain. We know that there will not be an end to the unequal distribution of land. That the migratory labour system will live on to destroy family life. We know that the government will always use false leaders to become its junior partners and to control us. our lives will still be filled with fears and harassment, banning, detention and death. We commit ourselves to uniting all our people wherever they may be, in the cities and country-sides, the factories and mines, schools, colleges, universities, houses and sports fields, churches, mosques and temples, to fight for our freedom. We therefore resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder in our common struggle and commit ourselves to work together to mobilize all community, worker, student, woman, religious and other organizations under the banner of a united democratic front. Consult our people regularly and honestly and bravely represent their views and aspirations. Educate all about the coming dangers and the need for unity. Build and strengthen all organizations of people. Unite in action against these Bills and other day-to-day problems affecting our people, and now therefore, we pledge to come together in - 6- United Democratic Front and fight side by side against the government's constitutional proposals and the Koornhof Bills." (pp 41-43) Various amendments to this declaration were later proposed. LEKOTA read out the working principles of the UDF. In their original form, the aims and objectives of the UDF were - 3.1 To oppose the Constitution and Koornhof Bills as decided at the first national conference held in Cape Town on 20 August 1983, and any future conference. 3.2 To develop the maximum possible participation in the front. 3.3 To encourage and assist democratic and full participation in the UDF." (p 43) At a later stage, an amendment was proposed and read out without discussion or explanation. The amendment added a further clause to the aims and objectives which reads as follows: - 7 - We further resolve that the UDF does not and will not purport to be a substitute movement to accredited ppl's liberation movements." (pp 71-3) 9. The meeting was characterized by the singing of revolutionary freedom songs. 10 . The allegations in the Indictment are dealt with in the notes on VI. /cmt:232B 141086(1) GM:CMT:232B 141086(1) V28: INAUGURATION, SOWETO YOUTH CONGRESS. DOBSONVILLE. 31 JULY 1983 ' ACCUSED PRESENT: POPO MOLEFE 1. This meeting was to inaugurate the SOWETO YOUTH CONGRESS ("SOYCO"). It took place at a time before the nationwide launch of the UNITED DEMOCRATIC FRONT. Although MOLEFE was not a speaker at this meeting, the transcript reflects that he could be seen on the stage (p 44). This reference to him occurs at a considerable time into the meeting shortly after the chairman proposes to adjourn for lunch’; 2. Considerable emphasis was placed upon the lessons to be learnt from the ANC YOUTH LEAGUE: *-he beginning of the meeting an unknown speaker who could be the chairman stated: Remember the role Youth League played. The programme of action which lifted our struggle to a militant plain was as a direct result of the campaign (inaudible) and so on - 2- done by the Youth League. The defiance campaign which, to date, is not equalled was as a result of the program of action that was introduced by the Youth League. I am citing this to show the importance youth can play in the bitter struggle so that as we form these youth organizations today, I think we have to keep these in mind. We have to think back to men like Tambo, Sisulu, Mandela, Lembede and many others, who were active in the Youth League and see the quality of their developing into the giants they are today." (PP 4-5) Dr MOTLANA spoke at length about the history of the ANC Youth League. This was apparently the task he was asked to perform (p 18). He stated: Easter Monday 1944 became a watershed in the history of the struggle of the people of SA.
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