P.W. Botha proposes a 'Constellation of States'

P.W. Botha

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

During the National Party rally in Ladysmith, Natal, Prime Minister P.W. Botha assured his party supporters that the proposed constitutional reforms would not lead to the formation of a federal system of government based on a one man, one vote system. Instead, he proposed the establishment of the “Constellation of States” for South Africa's different races. The constellation of states would include South Africa's neighbours and create a buffer zone that would protect the Apartheid government from Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) attacks. The Frontline States, which quickly implemented their plan to create a regional body for southern African states excluding South Africa, flatly rejected the proposal.

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01Kalley, J. A. et al (1999). Southern African Political History: A Chronology of Key Political Events from Independence to Mid-1997, Greenwood: London, p. 462.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). P.W. Botha proposes a 'Constellation of States'. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012442

South African History Online (2011) 'P.W. Botha proposes a 'Constellation of States'', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012442 (Accessed: 21 July 2026).

South African History Online, P.W. Botha proposes a 'Constellation of States' [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012442, (accessed 21 July 2026).

"P.W. Botha proposes a 'Constellation of States'." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012442. Accessed 21 July 2026.

South African History Online. "P.W. Botha proposes a 'Constellation of States'." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012442.