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1. 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.
Essay 1
Introduction
The Tricameral Parliament system, implemented in South Africa in 1984, was a significant
constitutional reform introduced by the National Party (NP) government. This system was designed
to include Coloureds and Indians in the political process while continuing to exclude the majority
black population. While it was presented as a step towards greater political inclusion, the Tricameral
Parliament was fundamentally flawed and served to reinforce apartheid. This essay critically
discusses the impact of the Tricameral Parliament on South African society, its primary objectives,
and how it affected different racial groups.
Primary Objectives of the Tricameral Parliament
The primary objective of the Tricameral Parliament was to create a political structure that maintained
white supremacy while offering limited political representation to Coloured and Indian communities.
The system established three separate chambers of Parliament: the House of Assembly for whites,
the House of Representatives for Coloureds, and the House of Delegates for Indians. Each house had
authority over its racial group's affairs, while major national issues remained under the control of the
white-dominated House of Assembly.
This structure aimed to divide and rule by creating a superficial sense of political inclusion among
Coloureds and Indians, thereby undermining potential alliances between these groups and the black
majority. It was also an attempt to placate international criticism of apartheid by presenting an image
of reform, albeit one that did not address the fundamental injustices of the system.
Impact on Racial Groups
The Tricameral Parliament system had profound and varied impacts on the different racial groups in
South Africa.
Impact on Whites:
For the white population, the Tricameral Parliament was a means to maintain political and economic
dominance. The House of Assembly, where whites held power, controlled critical national matters
such as defense, foreign policy, and finance. This ensured that the white minority retained control
over the state apparatus and the economy. However, the system also began to expose some white
politicians to the realities of apartheid's injustices, as evidenced by FW de Klerk's reflections on the
criticism he received from Coloured and Indian representatives. This exposure played a role in
gradually shifting some NP members' attitudes towards apartheid, contributing to the eventual
dismantling of the system.
