The United Democratic Front was founded on this day in 1983. My thread focusses on the women who played a role in it's strictures. One of the two keynote speakers on this day was Frances Baard. Ma Baard's activism began in the 40s in PE. She was also a member of FSAW. 
At the time of its founding, Albertina Sisulu was in prison. But she was elected among the UDF's founding presidents. Out of the three she was the only woman. Ma Sisulu was also a member of FSAW. Like Ma Baard she marched to the union buildings on 9 August 1956.
The founding of the UDF also saw Women's movements being re-established or created. This is theologian Sister Bernard Ncube who went on to become the first president of Fedtraw. She also created a number of women's organizations in what was then Transvaal.
Cheryl Carolus was one of the founding members of the UDF and served in its executive committee. She was a member of SASO and the BCM before serving in the UDF and was a grassroots organizer in the Western Cape. She also served as FSAW president in 1987 📸: UCT digital archives
It's also important to note why the UDF on this day. The Tricameral Constitution was expected to launch on the same day. This gave rights (though limited) to Indian and Coloured people, but none to Black people. Black people were at the bottom of the apartheid hierarchy.
The trichameral constitution was a divide and conquer strategy and it was meant to reinforce the cheapness of black life while creating the illusion that Indian and Coloured people had a seat at the table. And this is why the founders chose today in 1983.
When the UDF Women's Congress was founded in 1987, the event was covered by the feminist magazine Speak one of its writers was Pregs Govender.
