South Africa : Emergence of Democratic State Notes

Conditions That Encouraged Reform

Apartheid Crisis

1. By the 1980s, apartheid was politically and economically unsustainable, relying heavily on repression.
2. The exclusion of the Black majority made South Africa increasingly ungovernable.
3. Economic inefficiency and capital flight weakened white support for the system.
4. State violence damaged the regime’s legitimacy at home and abroad.

Internal Resistance

1. Mass opposition from groups such as the ANC, trade unions, and student movements challenged apartheid.
2. Events like the Soweto Uprising (1976) showed widespread rejection of minority rule.
3. Sustained strikes and protests in the 1980s made normal governance impossible.
4. Resistance kept the demand for universal suffrage central to political debate.

International Sanctions

1. Economic sanctions and trade restrictions weakened South Africa’s economy.
2. Sporting and cultural boycotts increased international isolation.
3. The end of the Cold War reduced Western tolerance of apartheid.
4. Sanctions strengthened reformers within the white political elite.

Role and Significance of Leaders

Nelson Mandela

1. Symbolized resistance and reconciliation after decades of imprisonment.
2. Advocated negotiation rather than revenge, preventing civil war.
3. As president, promoted national unity and democratic legitimacy.
4. His leadership reassured minorities during the transition.

F.W. de Klerk

1. Recognized apartheid was unsustainable and initiated reform.
2. Legalized banned organizations and released Mandela in 1990.
3. Played a key role in negotiating the transition to majority rule.
4. Willingness to compromise enabled peaceful democratic change.

Oliver Tambo

1. Led the ANC in exile and secured international support.
2. Maintained unity within the anti-apartheid movement.
3. Helped legitimize the ANC as a future governing party.
4. His diplomatic efforts strengthened pressure for reform.

Case study

African National Congress (ANC)

• Background
  • Founded in 1912, the ANC aimed to defend the political rights of Black South Africans under white minority rule.
  • It became the main opposition to apartheid after 1948, initially using peaceful protest.
• Key Actions
  • Led mass campaigns such as the Defiance Campaign (1952).
  • After state repression, formed Umkhonto we Sizwe (1961) to engage in armed resistance.
  • Banned in 1960, the ANC operated in exile, gaining international support under leaders like Oliver Tambo.
• Impact on Democracy
  • Kept the goal of universal suffrage and majority rule central to political debate.
  • Mobilized both internal resistance and international pressure against apartheid.
  • Played a key role in negotiations that led to democratic elections.
• Evaluation
  • Short-term: Repression limited its ability to operate openly inside South Africa.
  • Long-term: Emerged as the dominant political party in the 1994 democratic elections.
  • Its shift to negotiation helped ensure a peaceful transition.

Development of Political Structures

CODESA Negotiations

1. Talks between the apartheid government and opposition groups (1991–93).
2. Focused on ending minority rule and establishing democratic governance.
3. Negotiations faced violence and mistrust but ultimately succeeded.
4. Demonstrated commitment to peaceful transition.

1993 Interim Constitution

1. Guaranteed universal suffrage, equality before the law, and civil liberties.
2. Included power-sharing to reassure minority groups.
3. Laid the legal foundation for democratic elections.
4. Represented a clear break from apartheid governance.

Proportional Representation

1. Adopted to ensure inclusive representation of diverse groups.
2. Prevented domination by a single ethnic or political group.
3. Encouraged multi-party participation in democracy.
4. Helped stabilize the new democratic system.