2.3 Apartheid ends - human rights begin

Social sciences: history

Grade 6

The road to democracy in sa

Module 8

Apartheid ends – human rights begin

By the time F.W. de Klerk succeeded P.W. Botha as president in 1989, SA had been plunged into a situation of worsening crisis because of international sanctions. The government realised that they could not govern without a state of emergency and that they had no choice but to negotiate with the black majority. On 2 February 1990, the bans on the ANC, PAC, SACP and 33 other organisations were lifted. Nine days later, on 11 February, Nelson Mandela was released from jail after 27 years. (SWA, the present Namibia, became independent in the same year.) The Group Areas Act was repealed in 1991.

A NEW CONSTITUTION

The last of the apartheid laws were abolished during 1991 and 1992 and the government started negotiations with the ANC for the first time, after 78 years. This led to the Groote Schuur Agreement. CODESA (Convention for a Democratic South Africa) began. This comprised a series of meetings, during which the various political parties and organisations negotiated in order to establish a temporary, fair and democratic constitution. The date for an election in 1994 was agreed to at the end of 1993.

Activity 1:

To reconstruct the past

[lo 3.3]

(a) Discuss the following three sources in class. Relate the event from the perspective of the different leaders. Also use your own sources.

SOURCE A

SOURCE B

Negotiations between Mandela and De Klerk

SOURCE C

Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk receive the Nobel Prize for Peace.

From: Benjamin, A. 1990. The Alternative Mandela Album. Johannesburg: Argus.

Activity 2:

Constantly be aware of more than one point of view of the past

[lo 3.1]

(a) The sources provided reflect the points of view during the 90’s. When you play the role of historian, you should select and present (communicate) information from different sources. Answer the questions on the provided sources in your groups.

The Sowetan , 12 July 1990

Die Burger , 10 May 1990

• What do the dark clouds represent (source A)?
• Why is everyone in a hurry to get away from the dark clouds (source B)?
• Does source B suggest that the dark clouds disappeared in the 90's? Motivate your answer.
• Would you take both sources as valuable regarding South African history of the 90's?

PEACE . . . HUMAN RIGHTS . . . AT LAST!

The ANC won the first election and Nelson Mandela became the first black president of the "new SA."

(c) Describe the thoughts of the two leaders.

• How did the world experience the event?
• How does the new constitution of SA support human rights?

The largest number of heads of state and important leaders ever to attend an inauguration ceremony, gathered for president Nelson Mandela's inauguration. SA was welcomed into the world community with open arms once more. Here are some examples of what this meant:

• In May 1994, after more than 30 years' absence, SA was readmitted as a member of the OAU (Organisation of African Unity).
• On 23 July 1994 SA could take a place at a meeting of the UNO for the first time in 20 years.
• In 1995 SA hosted the World Cup Rugby tournament and the South African Springbok team became the world champions.

Activity 3:

To understand time by placing complicated events in the correct order

[lo 2.1]

• Compile your own learner-friendly time line of the road to democracy and human rights in SA by placing the events in the correct order.

Assessment