The New South
Africa
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| Mandela's Release |
President FW de
Klerk took the world by surprise in February 1990 when he announced the
unbanning of the ANC and other parties, and the release of political prisoners,
including Nelson Mandela.
His purpose was to stop violent insurrection and begin a
process to negotiate a 'a new and just constitution' for South Africa. It was
the end of apartheid.
After 27 years in jail, Mandela walked free on the 11th
February and that evening spoke to a huge crowd that had gathered in the centre
of Cape Town.
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In spite of
promising first meetings in Cape Town it took two years for formal negotiations
to begin.
The ANC and other parties had to re-establish themselves in the
country. Meanwhile political violence in the townships soared, and accusations
were made that government agents were trying to destroy black unity.
The National Peace Accord of September 1991 helped to restore
trust, and negotiations began in December, but soon broke down again amid fresh
violence and accusations. More...
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| Agreement |
| Despite the
public breakdown in negotiations, meetings continued in secret between ANC and
government leaders.
The assassination of a well-known black youth leader, Chris
Hani, brought the country to the brink of civil war. Suddenly there was
quickening of pace and the two main parties pushed the process forward, setting
a date for the election.
But as people across the country helped prepare for the
vote, other forces threatened to sabotage the election and violent incidents
continued.
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| After
nerve-racking brinkmanship, all major political parties took part in the
election, 26 - 29 April, and contrary to many forecasts it was peaceful.
In spite of long queues there was celebration in the air,
and the image of South Africans standing together to vote replaced the old
images of division.
The ANC swept to power with a huge majority.
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dramatic promises, raising high expectations.
A new and highly-acclaimed constitution was established and
various new commissions, including the unique Truth and Reconciliation
Commission to resolve the abuses of the past.
Poverty, however, continued and unemployment grew worse. Crime
rose dramatically. With the appointment of blacks to senior positions there was
hot debate about a decline in 'standards'. Crime and
affirmative action encouraged many whites to emigrate and significant foreign
investment did not materialise. New challenges were replacing old.
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Although there
was no sudden or dramatic change in Cape Town, steadily the city became more
racially integrated, first in government institutions and then the
suburbs.
A sharp rise in crime was effectively fought by
private-public partnerships that increased security, especially in the city
centre.
Migration from the poor rural areas led to sprawling shanty
areas, especially at Khayelitsha, and a massive increase in the city's black
population. The council were hard-pressed to keep up with the provision of
services, but were making good progress by the end of the decade.
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After the years
of boycotts and bad press tourists began to return to Cape Town in 1995.
Tourism fuelled an unprecedented development of the city,
led by the V&A Waterfront area. A theme park, casino and convention centre
followed.
Numerous hotels opened and shopping centres expanded. More
museums and cultural tours and events helped the city to celebrate its rich
diversity.
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Cape Town had
opposed apartheid and 'evolved' without trauma into the new South Africa.
It retained a sense of stability and enjoyed unprecedented
development, driven by tourism, boding well for the future.
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