inJune1989bytheNational Association ofDemocratic Lawyers (NADEL). 56.Animportant development inthe~eriodunderreviewwastherenewedpolitical activiti ofcommunity organizations, whichfocused mainlyonissuesoflocal concern, although theydidhavenational implications. Onesuchactivity isthe ongoing rentboycott inSoweto. Adirectresponse todeteriorating Rocio-economic conditions inthetownship, thebo/cottiswellorganized andcontinues tobe widelysupported. Sowetoisatpresent facedwithanaggregate debtofatleast R701mi1lion1 thisincludes arrears, totalling atleastR200million, which Sowetans havewithheld duringtheboycott. ADecernber 1988reportontheSoweto rentboycott commissioned bytheSowetodelegation demonstrated thatJohannesburg's economy isheavily dependent onthelabourandconsumer powerofSowetans. 111In itsnegotiations withthelocalauthorities, theSowetodelegation therefore madea seriesofpolicyrecommendations, inclUding theestablishment ofonesinglecity andonetaxbasetoprevent thenettransfer offundsfromSowetotoJohannesbur9 reSUlting intheimpoverishment oftheform~r. 57.Whilenegotiations arefarfrombeingconclusive, theSowetodelegation's creative political arpr08ch totherentcrisisiscreating anopportunity for 'Jrganizing andstrengthening community structures. Defying theregime's concept of negotiations, thedelegation sugges~s thatifauthorities weregenuinely interested innegotiations, theycouldbeginbyresolving therentboycott through discussions withrepresentative leaders inthelocalcommunities. Astheboycott persists, authorities shownosignsofhavingacoherent planforaddressing therentcrisis, ·whichaffects notonlySowetobutalsoothertownships throughout SouthAfrica. -15-58.Another creative appr?ach topolitical orgftnizing inthefaceofrepression is theholding ofmeetings incommuter trainstodiscuss suchdiverse ibsuesas strikes, co~~unity stay-away orrentboycotts. Thisapproach gbinsin effectiveness aslargenumbers ofworkers facelongtrainrides,whichrepresent a timethatcanbeusedtodiscuss solidarity actions. Traincoaches, selocted as "mzab31allweni" ("aplaceofstruggle"), havebecomethesiteofdiscussions of popular campaigns ledbycommunity andtradeunionorganizations. Authorities have already attempted toRtOpthi5activity through Lhedetention andtrialofblack commuters, whohavebflencharged withexpressing "violent andaggressive" behaviour onthetrains. 111 2.National liberation movemechs 59.Behindtheresurgence oforganized opposition toapartheid liesthepolitical strategy ofthenbtional liberation movements, notably ANCandPACtTheobjectives ofthemovements guidedapartheid opponents inSouthAfricaintheirassessment and definition ofstrategies toconfront theregime. TheConstitutional Guidelines for aDemocratic SouthAfrica, amajorANCdocument basedontheFreedom Charter of 1955,continued tobethefocusofintense dhcussion finddebateamong anti-aparth.id forceswithinandoutside SoutnAfrica. ~O.Discussions evolved aroundmanyissues, including negotiations concerning the conflict inthecountry andthepolitical requirements neededforthatprocess to begin. Inthatregard, on27June l~89,ANCissuedacommunique, inwhichit afflr•.'4ditsadherence toits1987statement onnegotiations undttrscoring "that onlythecontinued escalation ofint'rnalresistance, including itsarmed component, complemented byincreasing international pressure, willbringdownthe edifi~e ofapartheid". Itwasalsodisclosed that,following adialogue with mass-based or.ganizationK inSouthAfrica, ANChadelaborated aconsultative document, whichaddressed diverse issuespertinent tonegotiations. Thbtdocument andotherpolitical position paperswerebeiugcirculated andwerethesubject of debateamonganti-apartheid organil~tions inthecountry. AtHarare, on 21August1989,theOrganization ofAfrican Unity(OAU)~~Committee on Southern AfricaontheQuestion ofSouthAfricaadopted adeclaration basedonthe ANCdocument, whichfollowed consultations withtheftont-1ine States. The declaration outlined theconditions thatwould be necessary foranegotiated solution ofthepolitical conflict inSouthAfrica. Itstatedthatbefore negotiations couldbegintheregimewouldneedtoreleaseallpolitical prisoners anddetainees unconditionally; liftallbansandrestrictions onorganizations and
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the political and social struggles of the people of Soweto and South Africa, specifically the rent boycott and its impact on the local economy. It also touches on the national liberation movements' strategies and international pressure. While there are some economic and social issues mentioned, the text's main focus is on the political and social context, making it difficult to categorize solely under an economic or social category.

**Category**
Politics, Humanitarian aid and relief