Declarations

Rocklands Community Hall, built by the City of Cape Town Council in 1981, was the venue of
an historic gathering on 20th August 1983 which saw the establishment of the United
Democratic Front (UDF) and signified a turning point in the struggle against Apartheid.
The UDF was formed to unite people and organisations across South Africa despite racial,
social and religious differences, and called for a united non-racial, non-sexist democratic
South Africa. The gathering was attended by over 500 organisations from youth/student
organisations, trade unions, church groups, civic, and women organisations, in response to
the social economic and political changes that had been taking place since the 1976 Youth
Uprisings. This included, and was in fact, spearheaded by, the introduction of the Tricameral
Parliamentary system, a government system along racial lines which excluded the majority
(Black) South Africans.
The gathering at Rocklands heralded a new phase in the Liberation Struggle as the UDF
placed itself at the forefront of intensified and sustained mass protests that took place across
South Africa between 1984 and 1986. The UDF demonstrated that a diverse coalition of
groups and individuals could stand together, even in the most difficult times of suppression,
despite differences in ideologies, to successfully put pressure on the Apartheid regime.
Socially, Rocklands Community Hall was built as a multi-amenities facility to provide for the
social and recreational needs of the Mitchell’s Plains community (many of whom were
forcefully removed from District 6), a “people’s place”. Rocklands continues to be such a
“people’s place” to the residents of Mitchell’s Plain, providing various social and recreational
needs such as issuing of social grants, sports clubs, church services, library, creche and
senior citizens meeting place.
Architecturally, Rocklands Hall was one of eight halls built by the City of Cape Town in the
Cape Flats between 1970s and 1980s, based on the design by Graham Parker. Parker was
awarded the Architectural Award of Merit by the Cape Provincial Institute of Architects for the
design. This led to the design being used for several community halls across South Africa.

Schedule
The demarcation of the site, inclusive of the Rocklands Community Hall (both minor and main
halls), the UDF Memorial and Memorial Square, Community Health Care Centre and the
Library situated is as follows: