Identity area
Type of entity
Corporate body
Authorized form of name
Merge
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
Merge began during the disturbances of 1976, as a result of an initiative of the Regional Executive of the Progressive Reform Party of South Africa. The first meeting was in Mowbray and attended by about 120 community leaders from all parts of the Cape Peninsula. Merge consistently sought by various means to bridge the gulf between blacks and whites. It also provided a platform for the expression of the black point of view. Debating societies were formed and topics were mainly based on South Africa’s socio-economic system. In addition, Merge organised symposia hosting prominent black speakers and held social get-togethers and fund raising efforts.