Summary History: Topic 5 (The road to democracy)

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


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, 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


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