ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the role civic associations played in mass mobilisation and organisation and the spread of revolutionary consciousness leading to a shift in the balance of social forces towards the United Democratic Front (UDF). It also focuses on the general factors leading to the formation of civic associations, the general nature and strategies of these organisations, the general role and aims of civic associations, and the effects of struggle, state repression and counter-mobilisation on civics. The chapter presents an analysis is made of the formation, structure and membership, aims and objectives and activities of selected civic associations. In many areas civic organisations and other community organisations emerged prior to the formation of the UDF and provided the Front’s initial support base. The state was able to use both repression and material benefits to marginalise the civic association in township politics.
