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The Structure of CODESA The ANC’s Negotiations Commission was set up to direct and manage the ANC’s position in the constitutional negotiations at CODESA and later the Multi-Party Negotiation Process (MPNP). It was responsible for developing negotiations positions, preparing delegates for meetings, and planning the process at CODESA. Its ultimate goal was the election of …
The Structure of CODESA A Management Committee, with one delegate and one advisor from each of the parties, and chaired by Pravin Gordhan, oversaw the process. It was assisted by a Daily Management Committee and a Secretariat. The Daily Management Committee’s members were: Dr Zach de Beer (DP); Peter Hendrickse (Labour Party); Frank Mdladlose (IFP); …
How Mangope was deposed Maharaj recounts the full story of what happened when he, Botha, Fanie van der Merwe, and General Meiring arrived at Mangope’s residence to tell him he was to be deposed: Mangope appears in his pyjamas and dressing gown, and his son and his wife Rosemary are there in the room. Mangope …
The story of the civil war in Bophuthatswana 10 – 12 MARCH 1994 Kevin Carter / Getty Images The ‘FreedomAlliance’: This political coalition was made up of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the AWB, the AVF, the CP and the Ciskei and Bophuthatswana homeland governments. These parties were united in their rejection of a unitary …
Another right-wing threat – civil war in Bophuthatswana Read More »
The story of Amnesty EARLY 1994 Unknown / South African History Archive Amnesty: The issue of amnesty for members of the state security forces who had been involved in illegal activities against anti-apartheid organisations was a hot issue from the very outset of negotiations. Many in the ANC were totally against granting a general amnesty. …
The demand for an Afrikaner Volkstaat (state) MAY 1993 Graeme Williams / South Photos / Africa Media Online A hardeningof attitudes: The ANC and AVF entered into dialogue with one another and wrote up, but did not sign, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), dated 21 December 1993. But in the early months of 1994, attitudes …
The right-wing and the question of a Volkstaat (Afrikaner Homeland) Read More »
The Postscript “This Constitution builds a historical bridge between the past and a deeply divided society that was characterised by discord, conflict, unprecedented suffering and injustice, and a future which is established on the acknowledgement of human rights, democracy and peaceful co-existence as well as development opportunities for all South Africans, regardless of colour, race, …
Constitutional Principles The Interim Constitution was a historic bridge in two senses: It made possible the transition from apartheid rule to democratic elections, and also provided a bridge between the present and the future. The most important elements in that bridge to the future were the 34 Constitutional Principles laid down in Schedule 4 of …
The drafting of the Interim Constitution Relying on political leadership to come to political agreements was only one part of the challenge. It was quite another thing to have the lawyers creatively articulate these into legally acceptable formulations. The ANC relied on several experts, one of whom was Arthur Chaskalson. Arthur very quickly stood out …
Read More: The drafting of the Interim Constitution Read More »
President Mandela gives his State of the Nation address in Parliament. Mandela ends his address with the words, “Let us all get down to work”.
President Nelson Mandela announces his cabinet. It includes members of the African National Congress, National Party and Inkatha Freedom Party.
