To what extent did the new political settlement reached in the years 1992-94 create a fully democratic country?

CODESA Negotiations

Started badly - public spat between Mandela and de Klerk
In a speech at the opening ceremony, de Klerk opened with the most sensitive topic (publicly condemning the ANC for failing to disband the Mk and remaining committed to violence)
Mandela broke protocol and walked onto the platform during his speech and had the last word
However, progress was still made at CODESA
There would be a single undivided country, a multi-party democracy, a bill of rights, separation of powers and an end to racial discrimination

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CODESA 2 reassembled in 1992
Soon broke down because violence undermined negotiations
Residents of a township were massacred by hostel dwellers (police suspected but not proven)
ANC thought the gov was doing very little to control such violence in the hope that it would divide African communities
ANC believed that they should keep some possibility for armed struggle and that mass demonstration was essential to keep the political initiative
Many African people were getting impatient that negotiations were taking such a long time
Some groups within the ANC thought they should have a more revolutionary approach (topple the gov more than negotiate)
Chris Hani = head of the SACP and MK
Led an ANC organised march of 80,000 people
PAC never suspended armed struggle as a part of negations
Multi-party talks were restored at the start of 1993
Aware that this was attracting a lot of international attention
Chris Hanni was assassinated by Right Wing white renegades —> Hani was seen as one of the central figures in the new generation of the ANC and MK leaders
Need for negotiations seemed more urgent —> threats, PAC violence, mass protests and civil conflict in townships = uncontrolled violence and civil war

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De Klerk and Mandela received a joint Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 —> Global significance of the fight to end apartheid
Both sides made concessions
It was clear that when all adults were allowed to vote, that the ANC was going to take power
De Klerk wanted an extended transition period where there was a rotating presidency
ANC didn’t want this but compromised because Mandela was eager to maintain peace
ANC agreed that white S.A’s wouldn’t be forced to give up their economic gains from the apartheid era
1994 = first democratic election
ANC won 62.6% of the vote
National Party won 20.4%
Support for the PAC was quickly decreasing due to their hostility during the negotiation process, disorganisation and commitment to violence

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The ANC victory was expected
However, they didn't win 2/3's majority so couldn't make constitutional changes without support from other parties
Mandela became S.A president with de Klerk and Thabo Mbeki as deputies
The compromises meant that SA was experiencing a transition rather than a revolution
Some felt that the whites were still left with too much power and that the change wasn't dramatic enough
ANC could now dismantle the remains of apartheid --> Huge victory
Quickly passed a Restitution of Lands Rights Act
Desmond Tutu came up with the idea of a 'rainbow nation' --> People of different identities and colours could live together peacefully
ANC prioritised social spending on housing, schooling, health and welfare
Transition to a full democracy ensured acceptance and support from the international community (esp Western democracies)
Investment returned and economic boycotts were stopped, SA could play in sporting events again (hosted world cup in 1995)
Became a member of the African Union

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