How did democracy emerge in SA 1989-94

Question 1

New President

Answer 1

The new president of SA was F.W. de Klerk.

Question 2

following months

Answer 2

• Banned, the police of using the sjambok whip, which I will become assemble police brutality
• unbanned all political organisations, including the ANC, the PAC and the communist party
• allowed those in exile to return to South Africa
• Released political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela
• Committed the government to negotiating a new constitution for South Africa

Question 3

Reasons for change

Answer 3

• The National party was weakened
• Namibian independence. the SADF had been unable to defeat the Cuban and Angolan forces at Cuito Cuanavale in Angola in 1988. This gave inspiration to the liberal movement inside South Africa and it convinced the South African government to finally accept Namibian dependence.
• End of the Cold War.
• Preserving white privilege, although de Klerk claimed in his autobiography that the National Party were not trying to cling to elements of apartheid others have claimed he was hoping that a power sharing arrangement might be the only way that aspects of white power and privledge would be safeguarded.
• Change attitudes to the ANC.

Question 4

De Klerk and Mandela

Answer 4

Feb 1990, Mandela became a free man. Took over as ANC’s leader. Met with de Klerk and two decided they could open dialogue between gov and ANC = not easy.
Over next 5 years ANC and gov gradually agreed a range of measures that ended Apartheid and brought democracy in SA.