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NEGOTIATION AND COMPROMISE, 1989-1991 - Coggle Diagram
NEGOTIATION AND COMPROMISE, 1989-1991
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Significance of Mandela's release:
- Significant because of Mandela's fame and symbolism was the victim of oppression in SA.
- People hoped he was the one leader with the charisma and dignity to facilitate a peaceful transtion.
- Mandela had met govt officials already (in secret) to try to compromise on how to rule SA.
- Mandela met De Klerk in may 1989 and both men agreed to work together for a peaceful and lasting settlement.
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CODESA 1 (1991)
Certain constitutional preconditions gave the discussions an urgency which focused people's attentions and raised the question of what might happen if no agreement was reached in the time allowed.
- Any new govt had to be agreed by the existing tricameral Parliament, and it had to be a lawful successor.
- No party could illegally take power and impose a new regime by force.
- The process had to be completed within 5 years.
Negotiators were mindful that all major political groups in SA had paramilitary wings. And that the NP could turn to its security forces.
A major question during the discussions was how far each group could restrain its military wing. Its clear that there was still a fear that violence could intensify.
December 1991 - Creation of CODESA (Convention for a Democratic South Africa). It was charged with preparing the ground for a new constitution. Inkatha, the PAC, and conservatives refused to attend. Negotiations were bad tempered among those who did.
Declaration of intent:
- Most significant achievement of CODESA 1.
- Statement committing the govt to the creation of a non-racial, gender-inclusive, multi-party democracy in SA.
- Elections would be on the basis of universal adult suffrage.
- Proportional representation.
- Committed the govt to obeying the constitution.
- This declaration was robust enough to enable De Klerk to seek a referendum to be held in March 1992 among white voters to see whether they supported the reform process, 69% did so and allowed him to continue.