1 of 21
TT
HE COMING OF DEMOCRACY IN SA & COMING TO TERMS WITH THE
PAST (1990s)
OPIC 5
5.1 The negotiated settlement and government of national unity
Background & focus
• The road to SA attaining it’s democratic status in 1994 was lled with di culties.
• The unrest of SA grabbed international headlines + political leaders across world
condemned (faulted) Apartheid. This resulted in international investors withdrawing their
capital + foreign banks stopped their loans. In ation skyrocketed.
• In order for economic prosperity and political stability to be regained, Apartheid had to
end.
• FW De Klerk made rapid changes.
• Democracy was attained in 1994, the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) was
established to help heal SA.
5
.1.1 The beginning of the solution: Secret negotiations with the ANC-in-exile
and negotiations with Mandela (1985 onwards)
Why necessary for politicians and other concerned citizens to have secret talks with
ANC-in-exile as well as Nelson Mandela?
• The 1980s has been an era of intense internal and international resistance to the
apartheid government.
• The 1980 was a decade in which the ruling National Party’s grip on power was
challenged by signi cant events:
- Increased protest action and general unrest throughout SA because of growing socio-
economic and political crisis that confronted country.
- The negative impact that sanctions + disinvestment had on SA’s economy
- International pressure from the anti-apartheid movement to release Nelson Mandela.
- SA’s image locally + internationally was negatively a ected by growing political
instability.
^Thus prompted secret negotiations between freed loving black + white South Africans &
member of the ANC in exile.
fi fl ff fi ffi
, 2 of 21
• ANC in exile received international support from UNO and OAU. (leaders: OR Tambo,
Thabo Mbeki + Joe Slovo)
• In 1985: 1. International businessmen like Timothy Bevan were talking with ANC in exile.
As well as Gavin Relly (SA businessman) put together powerful business men and had a
meeting with ANC in Lusaka (Zambia).The ANC delegation was led by President of the
ANC, Oliver Tambo. After their ‘fruitful’ conclusions, other businessmen, students &
professionals visited ANC in exile in Zambia or Tanzania.
• In 1985: 2. Frederick Van Zyl Slabbert leader of PFP (Progressive Federal Party) and
COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions led by Jay Naidoo.
• PW Botha criticised this meeting and said Van Zyl Slabbert encouraged “political
terrorists”.
• In 1986: 1. A group of Black business leaders (led by Gabriel Mokgoko) and 2. UDF
(United Democratic Front) led by Cyril Ramaphosa and 3. the Afrikaner Broederbond
represented by Pieter de Lange.
• In 1987: IDASA (Institute for a Democratic Alternative for SA) led a delegation of 61
Afrikaner Businessmen, academics to Dakar, Senegal. They later met a 17 person
delegation from ANC led by Thabo Mbeki. This joint meeting focused on strategies to
bring a major shift in management in SA. Issues like the gov., economy and unity.
• Despite e orts of liberal white South Africans to bring change, PW Botha implemented
total strategy and total onslaught.
Factors which contributed to the unbanning of resistance organisations & release of
NM:
1. International changes: International tensions relaxed (Cold War ended).
2. Economic problems in SA: SA’s economy was in crisis after international sanctions.
3. The battle of Quito + Independence of Namibia: In 1987 SADF (SA Defence Force)
and UNITA launched an attack in southern-eastern Angola. SADF su ered heavy
losses. After meetings w Cubans and Angolans, SA withdrew SADF troops thus lost
control of Namibia (became independent)
4. National Party losing support: The 1987 elections revealed this. The CP was more
popular.
5. Intensi ed violence and strife: The call by the ANC to make the country
ungovernable led to resistance by MDM. The state employed strong arm tactics like
UDF and COSATU. (Violence bt the army/police and civil society of black townships)
fi ff ff
, 3 of 21
6. Popularity and talks with the ANC: The NP feared popularity of the ANC.
How did the Apartheid regime respond to growing demands?
• While apartheid state was trying to negotiate with the ANC in exile, it released 2 ANC
prisoners. Ironically, it continued to intensify its attack on ANC underground cells.
• Some students left to cadres to be trained (revolutionary organisation) returned with
counter-attacks towards the Apartheid state.
• Apartheid gov. ambushed MK (Umkhonto we Sizwe) soldiers.
Intensi cation of the armed struggle
• ANC in exile began to intensify armed struggle within SA. OT also came under
pressure to work towards a negotiated settlement and a secret plan known as
‘Operation Vula’ led by Mac Maharaj: This plan involved sending high ranking
members of the ANC to operate under cover within ANC.
• Their task was to organise underground structures and to mobilise members within the
organisation. ANC in exile also published Constitutional guidelines which included
detailed plans; how they intended to govern a democratic South Africa.
• In 1985, OT issued a call to make Apartheid SA ungovernable + unworkable. PW
Botha told parliament he was prepared to release NM if he gave up violence as a
strategy.
Negotiations with Nelson Mandela
• Because of internal + external pressure on SA and the country being on the verge of a
civil war; PW Botha decided to let Minister of Justice (Kobie Coetsee) talk to NM in
1985 in his cell. They sat down at Pollsmoor prison.
• The meetings got freer and more direct. They focused on the ANC’s armed struggle +
the continuing violence. A secret method of communication with he ANC leadership in
Lusaka was then devised.
• In Nov 1988, NM was taken to hospital (TB). PW Botha announced that Mandela
would not return to jail. He was moved to a more comfortable prised house.
1989 to 1991: Unbanning of organisations
Change of leadership in NP led to unbanning of political organisations
fi
TT
HE COMING OF DEMOCRACY IN SA & COMING TO TERMS WITH THE
PAST (1990s)
OPIC 5
5.1 The negotiated settlement and government of national unity
Background & focus
• The road to SA attaining it’s democratic status in 1994 was lled with di culties.
• The unrest of SA grabbed international headlines + political leaders across world
condemned (faulted) Apartheid. This resulted in international investors withdrawing their
capital + foreign banks stopped their loans. In ation skyrocketed.
• In order for economic prosperity and political stability to be regained, Apartheid had to
end.
• FW De Klerk made rapid changes.
• Democracy was attained in 1994, the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) was
established to help heal SA.
5
.1.1 The beginning of the solution: Secret negotiations with the ANC-in-exile
and negotiations with Mandela (1985 onwards)
Why necessary for politicians and other concerned citizens to have secret talks with
ANC-in-exile as well as Nelson Mandela?
• The 1980s has been an era of intense internal and international resistance to the
apartheid government.
• The 1980 was a decade in which the ruling National Party’s grip on power was
challenged by signi cant events:
- Increased protest action and general unrest throughout SA because of growing socio-
economic and political crisis that confronted country.
- The negative impact that sanctions + disinvestment had on SA’s economy
- International pressure from the anti-apartheid movement to release Nelson Mandela.
- SA’s image locally + internationally was negatively a ected by growing political
instability.
^Thus prompted secret negotiations between freed loving black + white South Africans &
member of the ANC in exile.
fi fl ff fi ffi
, 2 of 21
• ANC in exile received international support from UNO and OAU. (leaders: OR Tambo,
Thabo Mbeki + Joe Slovo)
• In 1985: 1. International businessmen like Timothy Bevan were talking with ANC in exile.
As well as Gavin Relly (SA businessman) put together powerful business men and had a
meeting with ANC in Lusaka (Zambia).The ANC delegation was led by President of the
ANC, Oliver Tambo. After their ‘fruitful’ conclusions, other businessmen, students &
professionals visited ANC in exile in Zambia or Tanzania.
• In 1985: 2. Frederick Van Zyl Slabbert leader of PFP (Progressive Federal Party) and
COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions led by Jay Naidoo.
• PW Botha criticised this meeting and said Van Zyl Slabbert encouraged “political
terrorists”.
• In 1986: 1. A group of Black business leaders (led by Gabriel Mokgoko) and 2. UDF
(United Democratic Front) led by Cyril Ramaphosa and 3. the Afrikaner Broederbond
represented by Pieter de Lange.
• In 1987: IDASA (Institute for a Democratic Alternative for SA) led a delegation of 61
Afrikaner Businessmen, academics to Dakar, Senegal. They later met a 17 person
delegation from ANC led by Thabo Mbeki. This joint meeting focused on strategies to
bring a major shift in management in SA. Issues like the gov., economy and unity.
• Despite e orts of liberal white South Africans to bring change, PW Botha implemented
total strategy and total onslaught.
Factors which contributed to the unbanning of resistance organisations & release of
NM:
1. International changes: International tensions relaxed (Cold War ended).
2. Economic problems in SA: SA’s economy was in crisis after international sanctions.
3. The battle of Quito + Independence of Namibia: In 1987 SADF (SA Defence Force)
and UNITA launched an attack in southern-eastern Angola. SADF su ered heavy
losses. After meetings w Cubans and Angolans, SA withdrew SADF troops thus lost
control of Namibia (became independent)
4. National Party losing support: The 1987 elections revealed this. The CP was more
popular.
5. Intensi ed violence and strife: The call by the ANC to make the country
ungovernable led to resistance by MDM. The state employed strong arm tactics like
UDF and COSATU. (Violence bt the army/police and civil society of black townships)
fi ff ff
, 3 of 21
6. Popularity and talks with the ANC: The NP feared popularity of the ANC.
How did the Apartheid regime respond to growing demands?
• While apartheid state was trying to negotiate with the ANC in exile, it released 2 ANC
prisoners. Ironically, it continued to intensify its attack on ANC underground cells.
• Some students left to cadres to be trained (revolutionary organisation) returned with
counter-attacks towards the Apartheid state.
• Apartheid gov. ambushed MK (Umkhonto we Sizwe) soldiers.
Intensi cation of the armed struggle
• ANC in exile began to intensify armed struggle within SA. OT also came under
pressure to work towards a negotiated settlement and a secret plan known as
‘Operation Vula’ led by Mac Maharaj: This plan involved sending high ranking
members of the ANC to operate under cover within ANC.
• Their task was to organise underground structures and to mobilise members within the
organisation. ANC in exile also published Constitutional guidelines which included
detailed plans; how they intended to govern a democratic South Africa.
• In 1985, OT issued a call to make Apartheid SA ungovernable + unworkable. PW
Botha told parliament he was prepared to release NM if he gave up violence as a
strategy.
Negotiations with Nelson Mandela
• Because of internal + external pressure on SA and the country being on the verge of a
civil war; PW Botha decided to let Minister of Justice (Kobie Coetsee) talk to NM in
1985 in his cell. They sat down at Pollsmoor prison.
• The meetings got freer and more direct. They focused on the ANC’s armed struggle +
the continuing violence. A secret method of communication with he ANC leadership in
Lusaka was then devised.
• In Nov 1988, NM was taken to hospital (TB). PW Botha announced that Mandela
would not return to jail. He was moved to a more comfortable prised house.
1989 to 1991: Unbanning of organisations
Change of leadership in NP led to unbanning of political organisations
fi
