De Klerk's response to the crisis of the
1990s
1989
● Reformers argued for a political solution to the conflict in SA
This would mean negotiations with the ANC and its allies
● 1985 reformers met with Mandela in prison and offered him release on the
condition he renounces violence
Mandela refused, however, this was the unofficial start of negotiations
● Botha swung between reformists and hardliners, his famous Rubicon speech
wasn’t what the liberal whites expected. It instead took a hard-line approach
and attitude of we shall not abdicate.
This intensified the armed struggle and violence in south Africa
● In the 1987 elections, the NP received massive support from whites for the
repressive policies as well as the state of emergency
● The ANC also swung between the armed resistance and democratic
negotiations approach.
● At the same time operation Vula was launched
This operation aimed to smuggle freedom fighters into south Africa and
maintain links of communication amongst member of the ANC in exile and in
prison.
● The Harare declaration was also formed outlining 5 key conditions for
negotiations to take place. This included:
● Lifting the state of emergency
● Ending the restrictions on political
activity.
● Releasing political prisoners
● Stopping political executions
● 1989 Botha had a stroke, the NP used this to force him to resign as President
and he was replaced by De Klerk
● De Klerk was known as a reformer and put SA on the path to democracy
● The growth of support for the two main opposition parties made De Klerk
aware that if the NP was to represent the government in negotiations it would
have to be while they have the majority of the votes.
, ● Two main opposition parties to NP:
● Two factors that helped De Klerk were: The Angolan war had ended
and the unravelling of the Soviet Union’s control over eastern Europe
which destroyed the credibility of the Total onslaught doctrine.
The collapse of communism created an opportunity for a more
adventurous (far-fetched) approach that had previously been
unacceptable.
Reform and the negotiated settlement
● When De Klerk came to power he faced a situation of sustained unrest
caused by the MDM and trade unions. He allowed for “peoples power”
marches by the MDM
This was of huge importance in assisting transformation.
● In 1989 De Klerk also decided to unban and release political prisoners,
however Mandela remained in the Victor Verster prison.
● In 1989 the Separate amenities act was repealed. This was welcomed by
white liberals however the Conservatives and AWB threatened white
retaliation due to this shift.
This threat from the whites remained throughout negotiations and during the
1994 elections
● Mandela requested for the ANC to be un-banned if he was released and the
government agreed
● In 1989 a stalemate was reached between the ANC and NP thus neither
could claim victory.
It was important for a new path to ending the violence to be formed.
, 1990
The unbanning of political parties and the release
of Mandela and political prisoners.
● 2nd February 1990 De Klerk made the famous ‘Quantum leap speech’ to
parliament.
● The speech stated SA needed a quantum leap forward
This leap forward included:
○ ANC, PAC, SACP being unbanned
○ The release of political prisoners
○ The ease of censorship
○ The death sentence was suspended
○ Mandela would be released unconditionally
○ A decision to work with all political groups to
achieve democracy
● The speech was welcomed by most but rejected by the far right winged
parties. (Conservatives and AWB)
● Feb 11th Mandela was released, He addressed meetings in CPT and Soweto.
Mandela was introduced to the crowds by Ramaphosa
● After a visit with the ANC leaders, Mandela publicly announced the ANC’s
commitment to negotiations
● President of the ANC Oliver Tambo appointed Mandela as Vice president
● Mandela Urged the west to keep sanctions until progress to democracy was
assured.
This bothered De Klerk and proved to be a problem
● In Feb Mandela called a meeting with his supporters and called for an end to
the violence.
● This acted as a turning point in SA. Other reforms followed such as the;
Group areas act and population registration act being repealed in 1991
● The SADF still remained under government control
● Despite these reforms De Klerk did not intent to introduce full Democracy but
rather one where all racial groups will participate without the domination of
one.
1990s
1989
● Reformers argued for a political solution to the conflict in SA
This would mean negotiations with the ANC and its allies
● 1985 reformers met with Mandela in prison and offered him release on the
condition he renounces violence
Mandela refused, however, this was the unofficial start of negotiations
● Botha swung between reformists and hardliners, his famous Rubicon speech
wasn’t what the liberal whites expected. It instead took a hard-line approach
and attitude of we shall not abdicate.
This intensified the armed struggle and violence in south Africa
● In the 1987 elections, the NP received massive support from whites for the
repressive policies as well as the state of emergency
● The ANC also swung between the armed resistance and democratic
negotiations approach.
● At the same time operation Vula was launched
This operation aimed to smuggle freedom fighters into south Africa and
maintain links of communication amongst member of the ANC in exile and in
prison.
● The Harare declaration was also formed outlining 5 key conditions for
negotiations to take place. This included:
● Lifting the state of emergency
● Ending the restrictions on political
activity.
● Releasing political prisoners
● Stopping political executions
● 1989 Botha had a stroke, the NP used this to force him to resign as President
and he was replaced by De Klerk
● De Klerk was known as a reformer and put SA on the path to democracy
● The growth of support for the two main opposition parties made De Klerk
aware that if the NP was to represent the government in negotiations it would
have to be while they have the majority of the votes.
, ● Two main opposition parties to NP:
● Two factors that helped De Klerk were: The Angolan war had ended
and the unravelling of the Soviet Union’s control over eastern Europe
which destroyed the credibility of the Total onslaught doctrine.
The collapse of communism created an opportunity for a more
adventurous (far-fetched) approach that had previously been
unacceptable.
Reform and the negotiated settlement
● When De Klerk came to power he faced a situation of sustained unrest
caused by the MDM and trade unions. He allowed for “peoples power”
marches by the MDM
This was of huge importance in assisting transformation.
● In 1989 De Klerk also decided to unban and release political prisoners,
however Mandela remained in the Victor Verster prison.
● In 1989 the Separate amenities act was repealed. This was welcomed by
white liberals however the Conservatives and AWB threatened white
retaliation due to this shift.
This threat from the whites remained throughout negotiations and during the
1994 elections
● Mandela requested for the ANC to be un-banned if he was released and the
government agreed
● In 1989 a stalemate was reached between the ANC and NP thus neither
could claim victory.
It was important for a new path to ending the violence to be formed.
, 1990
The unbanning of political parties and the release
of Mandela and political prisoners.
● 2nd February 1990 De Klerk made the famous ‘Quantum leap speech’ to
parliament.
● The speech stated SA needed a quantum leap forward
This leap forward included:
○ ANC, PAC, SACP being unbanned
○ The release of political prisoners
○ The ease of censorship
○ The death sentence was suspended
○ Mandela would be released unconditionally
○ A decision to work with all political groups to
achieve democracy
● The speech was welcomed by most but rejected by the far right winged
parties. (Conservatives and AWB)
● Feb 11th Mandela was released, He addressed meetings in CPT and Soweto.
Mandela was introduced to the crowds by Ramaphosa
● After a visit with the ANC leaders, Mandela publicly announced the ANC’s
commitment to negotiations
● President of the ANC Oliver Tambo appointed Mandela as Vice president
● Mandela Urged the west to keep sanctions until progress to democracy was
assured.
This bothered De Klerk and proved to be a problem
● In Feb Mandela called a meeting with his supporters and called for an end to
the violence.
● This acted as a turning point in SA. Other reforms followed such as the;
Group areas act and population registration act being repealed in 1991
● The SADF still remained under government control
● Despite these reforms De Klerk did not intent to introduce full Democracy but
rather one where all racial groups will participate without the domination of
one.
