[Date]
HSY3705 Assignment 1
Semester 2 2024 - DUE
10 August 2024
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
, HSY3705 Assignment 1 Semester 2 2024 - DUE 10 August 2024
Critically discuss the impact of the Tricameral Parliament system on South African
society during its implementation. What were the primary objectives, and how did
it affect different racial groups? Use examples to support your analysis.
Overview of the Tricameral Parliament System
The Tricameral Parliament system was introduced in South Africa in 1983 by the
apartheid government under the leadership of Prime Minister P.W. Botha. The
system was part of a series of reforms aimed at placating internal and external
criticism of apartheid without fully dismantling the system. It created three
separate parliamentary chambers: one for whites (House of Assembly), one for
coloreds (House of Representatives), and one for Indians (House of Delegates).
However, the black majority was excluded from this political process, which was a
major flaw and source of contention.
Primary Objectives
1. Appease Internal and International Critics: The apartheid government
aimed to create an image of reform by including coloreds and Indians in the
political process, hoping to reduce internal unrest and appease international
critics who were increasingly condemning apartheid.
2. Maintain White Dominance: The Tricameral system was designed to
maintain the supremacy of the white minority. The House of Assembly,
which represented whites, had greater power and could override the
decisions of the other houses. This ensured that whites retained control over
key aspects of governance.
HSY3705 Assignment 1
Semester 2 2024 - DUE
10 August 2024
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
, HSY3705 Assignment 1 Semester 2 2024 - DUE 10 August 2024
Critically discuss the impact of the Tricameral Parliament system on South African
society during its implementation. What were the primary objectives, and how did
it affect different racial groups? Use examples to support your analysis.
Overview of the Tricameral Parliament System
The Tricameral Parliament system was introduced in South Africa in 1983 by the
apartheid government under the leadership of Prime Minister P.W. Botha. The
system was part of a series of reforms aimed at placating internal and external
criticism of apartheid without fully dismantling the system. It created three
separate parliamentary chambers: one for whites (House of Assembly), one for
coloreds (House of Representatives), and one for Indians (House of Delegates).
However, the black majority was excluded from this political process, which was a
major flaw and source of contention.
Primary Objectives
1. Appease Internal and International Critics: The apartheid government
aimed to create an image of reform by including coloreds and Indians in the
political process, hoping to reduce internal unrest and appease international
critics who were increasingly condemning apartheid.
2. Maintain White Dominance: The Tricameral system was designed to
maintain the supremacy of the white minority. The House of Assembly,
which represented whites, had greater power and could override the
decisions of the other houses. This ensured that whites retained control over
key aspects of governance.
