Anti-apartheid forces in South Africa have moved towards greater unity in response to the effective banning of 17 organisations in February, and the harsh restrictions imposed on the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). Organisations also mobilised to oppose further restrictive legislation being prepared by the government.
The February restrictions prohibited the United Democratic Front, the largest anti-apartheid grouping, and other major opposition groups from 'performing any activities or acts whatsoever'. COSATU was prohibited from carrying out political activities. (See FOCUS 76 pp 1-2)
After February, many of the activities of the restricted organisations were taken on by other groups, and campaigns continued in different ways. The campaign against death sentences arising out of the popular protests of 1984-86 continued under a Save the Patriots Committee, while a 'Let Mbeki Speak' campaign was directed against the restrictions imposed on ANC leader Govan Mbeki. New organisations have been set up, and restricted organisations which have operated at a semi-underground level, like the million-strong South African Youth Congress (SAYCO), continued their activities.
Churches and other religious organisations, which were not directly affected by the clampdown, pledged to continue the work of the restricted organisations, and religious leaders organised and led protest marches and church services. At an emergency convocation at the end of May, 200 religious leaders representing over 30 South African churches and other organisations agreed on a plan of action. It included support for a three-day protest in June, initiated by COSATU, and campaigns for the release of detainees.
Women's groups affiliated to the UDF, which were not restricted, played a prominent role in protests. Early in March 500 supporters of the Federation of Transvaal Women marched on the Chamber of Mines and the British Consultative in Johannesburg, before they were dispersed by police. There were also mass protests at university campuses.
By the end of March at least four of the affected organisations had applied to the Supreme Court for the restrictions to be lifted and others were intending to follow suit.
The biggest protests were on 21 March, the anniversary of the 1960 Sharpeville massacre and the killings at Langa, Uitenhage in 1985. Those UDF affiliates which were not restricted, and other organisations, called for a national day of protest against the restrictions. Although the call could not legally be made, underground pamphlets were circulated calling for a one-day stay-away from work and the message was also passed by word of mouth.
An estimated one million workers went on strike, and pupils and students stayed away from classes in many areas. Commemorative meetings and services were held around the country in a demonstration of united action. Police reported an 80 per cent stay-away in the Eastern Cape and Johannesburg, and 60 per cent in Durban.
A special COSATU congress was held in mid-May to draw up plans to oppose the restrictions as well as the Labour Relations Amendment Bill which is presently before parliament. This will severely restrict the right to strike, prohibit consumer boycotts and expose unions to damages claims from labour actions. The 1,400 delegates decided on three days of protest starting on 6 June. They called for a conference of 'a broad range of anti-apartheid organisations', which would include the smaller National Council of Trade Unions (NACTU). NACTU, which had recently met with the ANC in Lusaka, also called on its supporters to participate in the three days of protest in June.
Nationwide protests were also being planned against the Promotion of Orderly Internal Politics Bill which will prevent organisations from receiving foreign funding unless they can show that it is not being used for 'political purposes'. Religious leaders have taken a leading role in this campaign, in particular calling on Western governments to pressurise Pretoria through sanctions. In response to pressures, the government was in late May reported to be considering revisions to the bill.
