Learn this NSC Grade 12 History essay that covers the topic of 'The Coming of Democracy' to South Africa. This essay fully answers Question 5 in the History NSC final examination. The author received 96% in the final exam.
THE ROAD TO DEMOCRACY
In 1989, FW De Klerk, the new leader of the National Party, was elected as State
President. In his opening speech in parliament (1990), he announced the most
groundbreaking and unexpected changes in the history of white minority rule in SA. De
Klerk announced the unbanning of political parties, like the ANC, SACP, PAC, as well as
the release of political prisoners, including releasing Mandela unconditionally. He lifted
restrictions placed on organisations, such as the UDF, COSATU and AZAPO. De Klerk had
initiated fundamental changes to the political scene and set in motion the road to
democracy.
Talks between De Klerk’s government and the ANC (April 1990) were called off due to
violence in Sebokeng. Police opened fire killing and injuring protestors, who were
demonstrating against high rents. In reaction to this, Mandela postponed the first round of
talks between ANC leaders and the government.
The NP, led by De Klerk, and the ANC, under Mandela, met for the first time and was
known as the Groote Schuur Minute. They agreed to peaceful negotiations to achieve a
democratic society. The Pretoria Minute (August 1990) was signed after further talks were
held. The ANC decided to suspend the armed struggle and, in return, the government lifted
the state of emergency. The talks appeared to be progressing well, and the process of
negotiation was underway.
Violence rose dramatically between the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the ANC. This
fighting slowed down the negotiating progress between the government and the ANC. It
was revealed that the government had been secretly funding IFP to carry out acts of
violence against the ANC. The ANC questioned De Klerk’s intentions, and this placed
strain on the negotiating process and the scandal damaged the government’s image
abroad.
(20 December 1990) The Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) was set up
to negotiate a new constitution and a power-sharing government. Three hundred
delegates from 19 political parties, such as the ANC, NP, IFP and AZAPO met. They
reached a compromise and, agreed on an interim government and constitution.
Participants signed a “Declaration of Intent” which outlined peaceful negotiations and free
and fair elections to achieve a democratic SA.
De Klerk called for a “whites only” referendum (March 1992). He needed to gauge how
white South Africans felt about the process of negotiation and to establish whether white
South Africans wanted Apartheid to end. The positive outcome of the ‘whites only’
referendum gave De Klerk the confidence to go ahead with the negotiation process.
Talks resumed at another convention, CODESA II (May 1992). However, talks collapsed as
they failed to reach a consensus on an interim government and new constitution. The NP
wanted minority veto while the ANC wanted a transitional government for only 18 months
and simple majority rule. After the collapse of CODESA II, the ANC, SACP and COSATU
launched a ‘Mass Action Campaign’, where millions of workers were involved in mass
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