Topic 5
Secret negotiations
ANC-in-exile and with Mandela
- 1980’s = power change for National Party
o protest + general unrest
o A time of intensified resistance to Apartheid
- Mandela decided it was the right time to open negotiations
30
, o Wrote to Minister of Prison = Kobie Coetsee
Formed a good relationship
o Requested meeting with president = P.W Botha
Mandela = freedom if ended ANC struggle against govt.
Refused
1988:
- Committee set up to talk with Mandela
- Mandela moved to Victor Vester Prison
o Mandela sought meeting with ANC + NP govt.
First step to negotiated settlements
o Both agreed + both were polite
o No significant decisions made
1989: (watershed)
- ANC + Afrikaners = secret meetings in Britain
o Broke down fears + suspicions on both sided
- Influential groups = contacted ANC-in-exile
- August = Harare Declaration
o ‘Conjuncture of circumstances exist’ could end apartheid
End of Cold War
Collapse of USSR
Economic sanctions and disinvestment
o Agreement to build ‘a united, democratic and non-racial state’
Suitable for negotiations
1989 to 1991
Important changes:
- P.W Botha = minor stroke
o Resigns as leader of NP but remains president
- F.W de Klerk = new leader of NP
o Dual leadership = power struggle
o Botha resigns as president = De Klerk Acting president
- NP won election but lost ground to Conservative + Democratic Party
31
Secret negotiations
ANC-in-exile and with Mandela
- 1980’s = power change for National Party
o protest + general unrest
o A time of intensified resistance to Apartheid
- Mandela decided it was the right time to open negotiations
30
, o Wrote to Minister of Prison = Kobie Coetsee
Formed a good relationship
o Requested meeting with president = P.W Botha
Mandela = freedom if ended ANC struggle against govt.
Refused
1988:
- Committee set up to talk with Mandela
- Mandela moved to Victor Vester Prison
o Mandela sought meeting with ANC + NP govt.
First step to negotiated settlements
o Both agreed + both were polite
o No significant decisions made
1989: (watershed)
- ANC + Afrikaners = secret meetings in Britain
o Broke down fears + suspicions on both sided
- Influential groups = contacted ANC-in-exile
- August = Harare Declaration
o ‘Conjuncture of circumstances exist’ could end apartheid
End of Cold War
Collapse of USSR
Economic sanctions and disinvestment
o Agreement to build ‘a united, democratic and non-racial state’
Suitable for negotiations
1989 to 1991
Important changes:
- P.W Botha = minor stroke
o Resigns as leader of NP but remains president
- F.W de Klerk = new leader of NP
o Dual leadership = power struggle
o Botha resigns as president = De Klerk Acting president
- NP won election but lost ground to Conservative + Democratic Party
31
