Anti-Privatisation Forum

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The Anti-Privatisation Forum (APF) was established in Johannesburg in July 2000 by activists and organisations involved in two key anti-privatisation struggles: the struggle against iGoli 2002, and the struggle against Wits 2001 at Wits University. The APF had affiliates from the unions, communities, students and the left: while most affiliates were township-based community movements, it also included small leftwing political groups, like Keep Left and the anarchist Bikisha Media Collective (later part of the Zabalaza Anarchist Communist Front).

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For ten years the APF was a vibrant social movement in Gauteng townships, including areas on the East Rand and in Soweto and Orange Farm. It is now defunct. [1]

The APF had fairly detailed positions on a wide range of issues, and was self-described as 'anti-capitalist.' However, its focus was on struggles, and in practice, affiliate organisations and individuals could take a wide range of positions. Many ordinary members were interested primarily in fighting against immediate problems, such as evictions and cut-offs, and did not take hard political positions.

Others however were influenced by left-wing ideas, including Marxism–Leninism in the Socialist Party of Azania tradition, Trotskyism in various forms, and anarchist communism. There was also a small autonomist current, based largely among university intellectuals.

Trevor Ngwane, one of the founding members, and a former town councillor [2] was the APF's best known figure: his politics were orthodox Trotskyism. [3]

Repression

The movement suffered significant state repression, largely directed at protestors from APF community-based affiliates. [4]

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References

  1. Lessons of Struggle: The Rise and Fall of the Anti-Privatisation Forum. Dale T. McKinley, SACSIS, 8 February 2012
  2. "zcommunications.org Is For Sale". www.zcommunications.org.
  3. Drew Forrest, 31 February 2003, “Social Movements: 'Ultra-left' or 'Global Citizens'?,” Mail and Guardian, pp. 9-11 Archived November 9, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  4. Dissent Under Thabo Mbeki [ permanent dead link ], Jane Duncan, May 2011