Cape Town activist to re-launch UDF

2012-08-20 11:34

Minister of Finance and former UDF member Pravin Gordhan

Cape Town - A Cape Town activist has vowed to re-launch the United Democratic Front (UDF) despite opposition from former party heavyweights, it was reported on Monday.

Mario Wanza told the Cape Times that he would go ahead with the re-launch on Monday at the Rocklands Civic Centre in Mitchells Plain, the same place the movement was launched to the day, 29 years ago.

He said a group would march with the UDF flag from Parliament to Rocklands.

The UDF, an important anti-apartheid organisation, was dissolved in 1990.

According to the report, prominent former UDF members released a letter at the weekend voicing their opposition to Wanza's plan.

These included National Planning Minister Trevor Manuel, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and Deputy Public Works Minister Jeremy Cronin.

"We regard ourselves as among the custodians of the rich and dynamic history of the UDF," the letter read.

"Consequently, we must guard against the opportunistic and ahistorical use of the symbols of the UDF, especially for what appears to be nefarious interests."

Wanza said he was bringing the UDF back because "it's time to go back to the Freedom Charter".

- SAPA