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Notes On The Coming of Democracy in Sa
Notes On The Coming of Democracy in Sa
Programme
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Background and focus
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Start of negotiations
• CODESA I was preceded by three key meetings between the
South African government and the ANC to prepare the way:
• CODESA 1- December 1991- Formal negotiations began at
The Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA).
- 4 May 1990: Groote Schuur Minute
- 6 August 1990: The Pretoria Minute
- 14 September 1991: The National Peace Accord was
signed by representatives of twenty-seven political
organisations as well as national and homeland
governments.
Start of negotiations continued
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Whites only Referendum
• In the period between CODESA I and CODESA II in early
1992, the National Party lost three by-elections to the
Conservative Party.
• De Klerk announced a 'whites only' referendum to test white
opinion on reform and negotiations.
• The result of the referendum was a landslide 'yes'. De Klerk
had the mandate he needed.
• De Klerk could no longer use the excuse of white
conservative opinion to procrastinate in moving towards a
non-racial election.
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Ongoing violence
• 17 June 1992 – Boipatong Massacre – Members
of Inkatha allegedly attacked hostel dwellers.
• ANC walked out of the negotiation process.
• Breakdown of negotiations at CODESA II.
• The ANC took to the streets with a programme
of ‘rolling mass action’.
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On going violence continued
• On 7 September 1992, a crowd of about
80 000 people gathered in Bhisho to protest
against the Ciskei ‘homeland’ government of
Brigadier Oupa Gqozo.
• Ciskeian troops and the South African
Defence Force opened fire on unarmed
protesters, killing 28 people.
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Record of Understanding: September 1992
• Following the collapse of CODESA II, behind the scenes
talks between the ANC and the NP became the main
channel for the process of negotiations. The two key
negotiators were Cyril Ramaphosa of the ANC, and Roelf
Meyer of the National Party.
• The government agreed to:
- Release more political prisoners.
- Erect fences around migrant worker's hostels.
- Ban the carrying of 'traditional' weapons.
• CODESA ended and MK was disbanded.
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Multiparty negotiation process resumes
• Formal multi-party negotiations resumed.
• Murder of Chris Hani – April 1993.
• Significance to the process of negotiation.
• Date of elections set.
Government of National Unity
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Video on democracy in SA
Video on democracy in SA
South Africa's Transition from Apartheid to Democracy.mp4
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