Christmas Boycott of White Stores Urged in S. Africa

The United Democratic Front, South Africa’s largest anti-apartheid organization, called Thursday for Christmas to be observed as a period of “national unity,” with a boycott of white-owned stores to protest the state of emergency.

Murphy Morobe, the front’s publicity secretary, said that during the 10 days starting Dec. 16, the organization will ask “the people to rededicate themselves to the struggle for national liberation,” as part of a countrywide mobilization to counter the impact of emergency rule, now starting its sixth month.

The observance is an effort by the United Democratic Front, a coalition of 700 anti-apartheid groups with about 3 million members nationwide, to reassert its leadership in the black community after being virtually forced underground by the police. Morobe said the observance of “Christmas against the emergency” will unite the black community but avoid confrontation with the police.

Since the imposition of emergency rule June 12, anti-apartheid groups have found it increasingly difficult to challenge the government. They have been all but prohibited from holding meetings, most of their top leaders have either been detained or are in hiding and the student protests that gave them much of their momentum have been halted.

Rent Strike Growing

A “campaign for national united action,” announced last month by the United Democratic Front, the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the National Education Crisis Committee, has failed to reinvigorate the movement.

The front’s only major success in recent months has been the growing rent strike in the country’s black ghettos--a popular issue now supported by an estimated 4 million ghetto residents in more than 60 communities.

“We do need something to show the people we are still here and still fighting,” Morobe said.

The 10-day Christmas observance is also an attempt to impose a measure of discipline on the militant young “comrades” who for the past two years enforced their own “black Christmas” by attacking those who had bought food and gifts from white stores or who went ahead with family celebrations.

With a month’s notice and strict guidelines, not only will local groups have a chance to organize, but most black families will be able to do their Christmas shopping.

“We want a situation where those young militants who fall under the UDF, show their political maturity and observe discipline are distinguished from those who don’t, so that they will be seen by the community to be out of step,” Morobe said. “This is very important for regaining our momentum.”

Church Services Planned

The front’s affiliates are to arrange special church services, the lighting of candles each evening and the visiting of families of activists who are in prison or exile. The organization has also called for cancellation of all sports events and music festivals during the 10 days and for the closure each day at 8 p.m. of all shebeens, or taverns, in the black townships.