African Affairs 96:353-369 (1997)
© The Royal African Society
CIVIC MOVEMENT AND NON-VIOLENT ACTION: THE CASE OF THE CAPE AREAS HOUSING ACTION COMMITTEE
Sipho S. Maseko is working in the Department of Political Studies at the University of the Western Cape
The inner life and organizational style of the civic moment in South Africa during the turbulent years of apartheid has received little attention. This article examines a civic body called the Cape Areas Housing Action committee (Cahac). It demonstrates that Cahac functioned as a centralized organization, although its constitution envisaged it operating as an umbrella body. This was because its affiliated structures were either dormant, weak or non-existent. Cahac's structures and decision-making processes, including the control of finances were dominated by a small group of individuals who composed its leadership. In that way democratic control of the organization from below was sacrificed, if not totally undermined. The effectiveness or otherwise of methods of struggle employed by Cahac are also analysed. Finally, on a broader conceptual point, it is argued that the strength of social movements depend on their ability to maintain a niche for themselves which makes the inherently reform oriented formations.