South African Labour Bulletin, Vol 14 The COSATU resolution passed nem con at its third Congress in June spells out the 'new look' UDF that will from now on fom committee, every town a local general com- affiliation. Encouraging sector organisa- tured alliance. What we envisage is a national tional civic body, a national trade union movement, in alliance with other political or- ganisations ... We are thinking of organisa- tions that are close to the working class or- ganisations, and organisations which believe in non-racialism. ... Those are good struc- be structures that can really give mandates to the leudership and control the leadership. ... class alliance, which I think is what is hap student body, a national youth body, a na- Moses Mayekiso on the rostrum at this year's TUC Congress (United Democratic Front)' part of the MDM: Mandela at his trial correctly denied was a socialist document. From the point of view of their effect on the struggle in South Africa, at least as it is reflected in the unions, the most tinued insistence on one person one vote in a unified South Africa. Metalworkers" union leader Moses Mayekiso has this to say ahout civic organisation and The emergence of the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) as the sponsor of this proposed Constitutional Guidelines - on the sort of society that will replace apartheid. We proach of the ANC's Freedom Charter, which significant point within them is their con- tion, the hospitals, transport and the beaches movemcat has heen able to organise since the A debate is developing in the trade wtions on the issue of alliances and most recently - stimulated by the ANC's presentation of do not have space here to discuss the COSATU should have a permanent stric- over a possible "solution' is if anything serving to strengtbe (COSATU), Both show the pressure of the now international situation, but the flurry of the mass opposition movement in South The mass defiance campaign over educa is the most public cumpaigung that the mass ly consistent with the 'mixed economy" ap first States of Emergency in 1986 and 1987. Guidelines except to say that they are perfect the debate on alliances and the Guidelines: campaign in also a startling development. The national John Haris/IFL regime is by no means ready to commit suicide, the De Klerk regime compared with that of the recently ousted P.W. Botha: but the apartheid the Congress of is the ment, especially other The new international alignment over with the Front Line states, and also inside Leaving aside the politics of the Front Line states, in South Africa there are two obstacles to any quick, cosmetic solution: both have genuine mass support. One is the African National Congress (ANC) and the In contrast, a scowling Mr Botha tried to steal a march on his rival by visting Nelson In fact, nine-lenths of the fashionable peculation about a "breakthrough" in South Africa was always pure guff. While the balance of forces is moving in favour of Pretoria in interational diplomatic circles, it is steadily moving against Pretoria inside South Africa itself, despite the serious defeats which the mass movement suffered in the mid 1980s. De Klerk is simply trying to use interational pressure to provide leverage at South Africa is dramatic: The two most powerful goverments in the world are cach seeking some sort of accomodation (not the same) with the ruling class in Pretoria De Klerk is using this for all he is worth, firstly De Klerk's amiable chops smiled at us Remarkably friendly communiques were jointly issued with the appropriate beads of state, as the "presentable apartheid' show moved on through the summer (thereby probably lengthening. Mandela's imprisonment): but it does seem that the Nationalists are running on a "dis- mantle apartheid platfom Everybody (in- cluding in South Africa) is talking about the coming negotiations - not whether, but when. Apartheid must surely be collapsing - if only from the latest capital city be had visited. SOCIALIST OUTLOOK no 18, October 1989 under the weight of newsprint! reports PAUL SMITH, "silly season
With the help of Ronald Reagan's con- against US