The transition to democracy and the election of the African National Congress, 1994
Assessing post-apartheid South Africa
Documentary on the Anti-apartheid struggle
In the Name of Mandela: War and Peace
56 minutes
Available from York Library.
The struggle against apartheid
The African National Congress (ANC) was formed in 1912, it became a mass membership organization in the 1940s.
By the 1950s it was launching civil disobedience actions to protest against the apartheid regime.
The ANC and allies drafted “The Freedom Charter” in 1955 calling for a democratic, multi-racial South Africa.
The struggle against apartheid
Pan-Africanist Congress created, 1959
Sharpeville Massacre, 1960
Banning of African National Congress and Pan-Africanist Congress, 1960
Forced underground and facing a violent police state, the ANC turned to armed resistance and sabotage. Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation) formed 1961.
Nelson Mandela imprisoned, 1962
The struggle against apartheid
Black Consciousness Movement emerged in the late 60s and into the 1970s.
From 1973 onward, black trade union activism and strikes became a crucial aspect of anti-apartheid struggle.
In the Cold War context, the racist South African regime was an ally of the US (and NATO) and the ANC was seen as a dangerous “terrorist organization”.
International Solidarity and Sanctions
Mozambique, Angola and Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) gained independence in the 1970s, leaving the white settler state of South Africa more isolated.
By the mid-80s, pressure on western governments was successfully pushing them toward economic sanctions against South Africa.
In the 1980s, the United Democratic Front was a a multi-racial coalition of community-based groups, trade unions, church groups, students, that launched a grassroots struggle against apartheid.
In 1985, the Congress of South African Trade Unions was formed (COSATU).
The struggle against apartheid
Meanwhile, violence in South Africa escalated. “Between 1984 and 1994, politically motivated killings claimed 25,000 lives” (Lodge, 2009: 322).
The transition to democracy
1986 repeal of pass laws and influx control.
Feb 2, 1990: F.W. de Klerk announced that Mandela would be released and prohibitions against the ANC and other organizations would be removed.
1992, whites-only referendum supports process of negotiating a new constitution
The transition to democracy
Elections 1994: ANC receives over 62% of the votes.
May, 1994: a Government of National Unity (GNU) took office, with Mandela as president and including representatives of the ANC, the National Party and the Inkatha Freedom Party.
