UDF, noun2

Initial letters of United Democratic Front, a grouping of Charterist anti-apartheid organizations, launched in 1983 and dissolved after the unbanning of the African National Congress in 1990; a branch of this organization. Also attributive. See also Sayco.
1983 A. Harber in Rand Daily Mail 30 July 2Leaders of opposition groups..are meeting..to discuss the launching of a nationwide United Democratic Front (UDF)...The national body would bring together the regional UDFs that have sprung up in different parts of the country...The UDF was originally suggested by Dr Allan Boesak..in January. Since then UDFs have been formed in the Transvaal,..in Natal,..in the Eastern and Western Cape.
1983 Drum Aug. 6The UDF is comprised of organisations which adhere to the principles laid down in the Freedom Charter.
1983 Pace Oct. 6The United Democratic Front (UDF) was launched last month. The UDF,..an infallible powerblock against the government’s proposed constitutional reform.
1985 Saspu National Vol.6 No.2, 3The Soweto homes of UDF treason trialists, youth and student activists have been petrol bombed.
1988 Now Everyone Is Afraid (Catholic Inst. for Internat. Rel.) 5The UDF led a boycott of the 1984 constitutional reforms and community council elections.
1989 Race Rel. Survey 1988–9 (S.A.I.R.R.) 705The United Democratic Front (UDF) was launched on 20 August 1983 and claimed to have 900 affiliated organisations with 3m members.
1990 M. Kentridge Unofficial War 7On 24 February 1988, the UDF was effectively banned. The organisation was only unbanned in February 1990, having fought for two years underground.
1990 M. Kentridge Unofficial War 8Both the UDF and COSATU are part of the MDM — in many respects the term MDM was first used in the context of the effective banning of the UDF and COSATU.
1990 R. Malan My Traitor’s Heart 249In the early eighties, the ANC moved to reestablish an above-ground presence inside South Africa. This presence ultimately took the form of the UDF,..which..cleaved faithfully to the ANC line.
1993 Sunday Times 12 Dec. 24Among those who will have to decide whether to include Mrs Mandela, will be former UDF leaders.
Initial letters of United Democratic Front, a grouping of Charterist anti-apartheid organizations, launched in 1983 and dissolved after the unbanning of the African National Congress in 1990; a branch of this organization. Also attributive.
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U.D.F., nounn.1UDI, nounn.
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