South African History Online

Johannesburg, 26 September 1992

This summit has taken place at a time when our country is being
systematically torn apart by violence. Many have died and continue to die. Free
political activity does not exist in many parts of South Africa.

Our people and the world in general looked to this summit with the hope that
we have begun today to rescue our people from this chaos. They looked to this
summit today with the fervent wish that we can resume the process of negotiation
that will take us forward to our final goal of democracy for all South Africans.

In answer to these hopes and expectations, I believe we can say that we have
succeeded.

The major concerns addressed at today's summit were the release of political
prisoners, steps to curtail violence emanating from hostels and the prohibition
of the carrying and display of dangerous weapons.

On the question of political prisoners, this summit today confirmed agreement
reached in the past few days. We are happy and indeed jubilant to welcome the
150 of our comrades released today and look forward to the release of all
remaining political prisoners by 15 November 1992. We look forward to the
release on Monday 28 September of comrades Nondula, Mncube, Mc Bride and
Mjingwana.

Significant progress was also reached today with regard to hostels and
dangerous weapons. Practical implementation has been agreed upon to ensure that
a proclamation will be issued to prohibit the carrying and display of dangerous
weapons at all public occasions subject to exemptions based upon guidelines
being prepared by the Goldstone Commission. The granting of exemptions shall be
entrusted to one or more retired judges designated in each province who if
necessary, may be assisted by independent assessors.

On the issue of hostels, the government undertook, amongst other things, to
fence identified hostels by 15 November 1992. Interim measures will also be
immediately undertaken should there be any delay in this process. The continued
denial of free political activity in some bantustans remains a major obstacle
and must be addressed.

The government expressed its concern about the our current programme of mass
action. The ANC appreciates these concerns. In view of the progress made in this
summit and in view of the further progress likely to be made when negotiations
resume, the ANC delegation have undertaken in consultation with our structures
and constituency, to examine this programme as a matter of urgency.

Finally, with regard to the constitutional process which was aborted in June
this year, common understanding has been reached today in the joint Record of
Understanding that we need to move with all urgency towards an interim
government of national unity and a democratically elected constituent assembly.
It is only the achievement of these goals that will finally bring lasting peace
to this blood-soaked land. The points of agreement outlined in the Record of
Understanding constitute an important step forward toward breaking the Codesa 2
deadlock.

There is obviously still much work to be done to complete this process. To
this end, the summit agreed that we and the government need to engage in
intensive bilaterals, a lekgotla, to resolve outstanding issues. We
will accordingly recommend this to our National Executive Committee.

It is the duty now of all South Africans to ensure that our efforts today and
the sacrifices of so many are not in vain. Let us move forward with courage,
honesty and determination to build upon and consolidate the basis laid at
today's summit to create a peaceful, just and democratic South Africa.

There is no reason why a political settlement should not be achieved within a
relatively short period. This will pave the path to peace. This will pave the
path to the economic recovery we all yearn for. But we will only achieve this if
all parties and all our people, black and white, put South Africa first.

N.R Mandela
26 September 1992

Issued by: African National Congress