The Move to Democracy
The birth of the new SA

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All the major parties had agreed to participate in the general elections scheduled for 27 April 1994 and began campaigning for votes in earnest. The ANC appeared to be the clear favourite from the outset. Excitement mounted as election fever took hold. Most South Africans had never voted in their entire lives.

Voter education

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) was appointed to run the elections ensuring they were free and fair. The IEC launched a national voter education programme, aimed at informing people about their voting rights and freedom of choice in voting for political parties and candidates.

An IEC official during voter education in the rural areas, 1994
(Photograph by Paul Weinberg)

Elections

On 27 April 1994, about twenty million people turned up to vote for the first time in their lives. There were no major incidents of violence reported except for a bomb blast at the Johannesburg airport. Nineteen parties contested the elections. The ANC won a landslide victory with 12 237 655 votes, followed by the NP with 3 983 690 votes.

1994 Elections results
Party	Votes	National percentage of seats	National assembly seats
ANC	12 237 655	62.65	252
NP	3 983 690	20.39	82
IFP	2058 294	10.54	43
FF	424 555	2.17	9
DP	338 426	1.73	7
PAC	243 3478	1.25	5

The inauguration ceremony

On 10 May 1994, Justice Arthur Chaskalson swore Nelson Mandela in as the new South African President. Thabo Mbeki and F.W. De Klerk became the Deputy Presidents.

President Nelson Mandela, and his Deputy Presidents, F.W. De Klerk and
Thabo Mbeki, during the presidential inauguration in Pretoria, 10 May 1994.
(Source: Eric Miller / i-Afrika)

There remained many challenges facing the people of South Africa and the new government.

Nelson Mandela’s first day on the job, 12 May 1994. (Zapiro)

The new Government faced huge challenges. There were also high expectations from the people.

Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom is published, 15 December 1994 (Zapiro)

The move to democracy
1990		Negotiations		Violence
February	De Klerk commits his government to reforms. Unbanning of political organisations (ANC, PAC, SACP)
May	Groote Schuur Minutes
June	27 People killed at Sebokeng
August	Pretoria Minute and the DF Malan Accord, formalisation of the conditions for the release of political prisoners. The ANC announces the end of armed struggle
1991
March	Repeal of Group Areas Act, Population Registration Act
June	Violence escalates in Johannesburg
December	CODESA 1 begins
1992
March	Whites only referendum held CODESA 2 begins
April	Collapse of CODESA 2, due to a deadlock
May	Inkatha gate scandal
June	49 people killed by armed Inkatha members at Boipatong.
September	28 ANC protesters are killed at Bisho by the SADF and Ciskei Troops
1993
March	Multi-party negotiation Pprocess resumes
April	Assassination of Chris Hani
June	72 people die in violence that followed. AWB force their way into the negotiating chamber after driving an armoured vehicle through the window into the World Trade Centre
November	Election date is announced Agreement is reached for a new constitution
1994
March	The government of Ciskei and Bophuthatswana collapse and are incorporated into South Africa
April	First democratic elections
May	Inauguration of Nelson Mandela as state president in South Africa

Adapted from Understanding Apartheid Teacher Supplement

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Learning Outcome 3: Knowledge construction and communication: Learners will be expected to synthesise information about the past to develop, sustain and defend an independent line of historical argument. They will be expected to communicate and present information reliably and accurately in writing and verbally.

Activity 13

1. Discuss the role of the Independent Electoral Commission.
2. “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb”.
   Discuss the significance of Mandela’s statement with regard to South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy. Your essay should be 2-3 pages long.
   
   Oral History
   
3. Divide the class into groups of 4. Each group should interview a person who voted for the first time in 1994. Remember to draft suitable questions before you conduct the interview. Report back to the class.

 

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