Beyond Our Wildest Dreams: The United Democratic Front and the Transformation of

Description: Beyond Our Wildest Dreams by Ineke van Kessel Explores the often conflicted relationship between the UDFs large-scale resistance to apartheid and its everyday struggles at the local level. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description As anyone who lived through that decade knows, the 1980s in South Africa were marked by protest, violent confrontation, and international sanctions. Internally, the country saw a bewildering growth of grassroots organizations--including trade unions, civic associations in the black townships, student and other youth organizations, church-based groups, and womens movements--many of which operated under the umbrella of the United Democratic Front (UDF). "Beyond Our Wildest Dreams" explores the often conflicted relationship between the UDFs large-scale resistance to apartheid and its everyday struggles at the local level.In hindsight, the UDF can be seen as a transitional front, preparing the ground for leaders of the liberation movement to return from exile or prison and take over power. But the founding fathers of the UDF initially had far more modest ambitions. As Azhar Cachalia, one of its core activists, later explained: "Look, when we founded the UDF, we had never in our wildest dreams expected that events would take off in the way they did. What happened was beyond everybodys expectations."Interviews with Cachalia and other leading personalities in the UDF examine the organizations workings at the national level, while stories of ordinary people, collected by the author, illuminate the grassroots activism so important to the UDFs success. Even in South Africa, writes Ineke van Kessel, who covered the anti-apartheid movement as a journalist, resistance was not the obvious option for ordinary citizens. Van Kessel shows how these people were mobilized into forming a radical social movement that developed a highly flexible and innovative form of resistance that ultimately ended apartheid. Author Biography Ineke van Kessel is a researcher at the African Studies Centre in Leiden, The Netherlands. Review Based on thorough, meticulous, and discerning scholarship, van Kessels book shows a mature understanding of South Africas political dynamics. Outstandingly perceptive while broadly sympathetic, van Kessel achieves an admirable objectivity regarding the foibles and weaknesses of the actors in her story. She succeeds in conveying the real texture of politics on the ground.--Gail M. Gerhart, American University in Cairo Long Description As anyone who lived through that decade knows, the 1980s in South Africa were marked by protest, violent confrontation, and international sanctions. Internally, the country saw a bewildering growth of grassroots organizations--including trade unions, civic associations in the black townships, student and other youth organizations, church-based groups, and womens movements--many of which operated under the umbrella of the United Democratic Front (UDF). "Beyond Our Wildest Dreams" explores the often conflicted relationship between the UDFs large-scale resistance to apartheid and its everyday struggles at the local level. In hindsight, the UDF can be seen as a transitional front, preparing the ground for leaders of the liberation movement to return from exile or prison and take over power. But the founding fathers of the UDF initially had far more modest ambitions. As Azhar Cachalia, one of its core activists, later explained: "Look, when we founded the UDF, we had never in our wildest dreams expected that events would take off in the way they did. What happened was beyond everybodys expectations." Interviews with Cachalia and other leading personalities in the UDF examine the organizations workings at the national level, while stories of ordinary people, collected by the author, illuminate the grassroots activism so important to the UDFs success. Even in South Africa, writes Ineke van Kessel, who covered the anti-apartheid movement as a journalist, resistance was not the obvious option for ordinary citizens. Van Kessel shows how these people were mobilized into forming a radical social movement that developed a highly flexible and innovative form of resistance that ultimately ended apartheid. Review Quote (previous edition) "Based on thorough, meticulous, and discerning scholarship, van Kessels book shows a mature understanding of South Africas political dynamics. Outstandingly perceptive while broadly sympathetic, van Kessel achieves an admirable objectivity regarding the foibles and weaknesses of the actors in her story. She succeeds in conveying the real texture of politics on the ground. "--Gail M. Gerhart, American University in Cairo Review Quote Based on thorough, meticulous, and discerning scholarship, van Kessels book shows a mature understanding of South Africas political dynamics. Outstandingly perceptive while broadly sympathetic, van Kessel achieves an admirable objectivity regarding the foibles and weaknesses of the actors in her story. She succeeds in conveying the real texture of politics on the ground. Promotional "Headline" Based on thorough, meticulous, and discerning scholarship, van Kessels book shows a mature understanding of South Africas political dynamics. Outstandingly perceptive while broadly sympathetic, van Kessel achieves an admirable objectivity regarding the foibles and weaknesses of the actors in her story. She succeeds in conveying the real texture of politics on the ground. Description for Reader Ineke van Kessel is a researcher at the African Studies Centre in Leiden, The Netherlands. Details ISBN0813918685 Short Title BEYOND OUR WILDEST DREAMS Publisher University of Virginia Press Series Reconsiderations in Southern African History Language English ISBN-10 0813918685 ISBN-13 9780813918686 Media Book Format Paperback Imprint University of Virginia Press Subtitle The United Democratic Front and the Transformation of South Africa Country of Publication United States Place of Publication Charlottesville DOI 10.1604/9780813918686 UK Release Date 2000-02-29 AU Release Date 2000-02-29 NZ Release Date 2000-02-29 US Release Date 2000-02-29 Author Ineke van Kessel Pages 384 Year 2000 Publication Date 2000-02-29 DEWEY 322.440968 Illustrations 9 b&w illustrations, 3 maps Audience Undergraduate We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:88645377;

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