CIVIC MOVEMENT AND NON-VIOLENT ACTION: THE CASE OF THE CAPE AREAS HOUSING ACTION COMMITTEE

The inner life and organizational style of the civic momentin South Africa during the turbulent years of apartheid hasreceived little attention. This article examines a civic bodycalled the Cape Areas Housing Action committee (Cahac). It demonstratesthat Cahac functioned as a centralized organization, althoughits 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-makingprocesses, including the control of finances were dominatedby a small group of individuals who composed its leadership.In that way democratic control of the organization from belowwas sacrificed, if not totally undermined. The effectivenessor otherwise of methods of struggle employed by Cahac are alsoanalysed. Finally, on a broader conceptual point, it is arguedthat the strength of social movements depend on their abilityto maintain a niche for themselves which makes the inherentlyreform oriented formations.