A NEW SOUTH AFRICA

In 1989 President P W Botha resigned from politics and F W de Klerk became the new president. From the very outset he indicated that the apartheid policy had to change. International sanctions, a shortage of skilled labour and the on-going confrontation between government and the resistance movements hampered the economic growth of the country. Improved relations between the United States and the Soviet Union at that stage undoubtedly also contributed to the democratisation of SA.

In 1990 all political parties were unbanned, Nelson Mandela was released and "petty apartheid" was abolished. President de Klerk, as leader of the NP, ANC chairman Nelson Mandela, Inkhatha Freedom Party chairman Buthelezi as well as the leaders of 23 other political parties all participated in CODESA - Convention for a Democratic South Africa - and a peace accord was signed in 1991.

The above negotiations and the run-up to the first democratic elections in 1994, was marked by violence and threats of a civil war. A power struggle developed between supporters of the ANC (Xhosas) on the one hand and Inkatha (Zulus) on the other hand, while the incumbent rulers of the independent homelands were fighting for survival. A group of right-wing extremists under Eugene Terreblanche categorically rejected the reform process and resorted to violence.

In 1992 a beleaguered President de Klerk called a referendum on the political reform process. Of the 86% of the white population that cast their votes, almost 70% was in favour of reform. The negotiations continued, with the ANC and the NP the main participants, and a compromise was reached in 1993. Under the leadership of the moderate and peace-loving Nelson Mandela, the ANC opted for co-operation with the white government instead of confrontation. Plans were made for an election and the parties agreed to a provisional constitution and form of government. This agreement proved unacceptable to both black and white extremists. The blacks, who had been looking forward to revenge, regarded Mandela's actions as weak, while the white extremists refused to be ruled by a black government - they wanted their own, independent state..

The election held in South Africa on 26, 27, 28 and 29 April 1994 was the very first in which the black people of the country were allowed to vote. The ANC got 62% of the votes, the NP 20% and Inkatha 10%. Notwithstanding enormous logistical and organisational problems, the election went without any major hitch and was declared free and fair, with all parties prepared to accept the results. A government of national unity was formed by the three main parties, which would remain in power until 1999. Nelson Mandela was unanimously elected to become the first black president of the South Africa, and stated that he would follow a policy of reconstruction and development. With his concilliatory attitude towards the whites, he laid the foundation for co-operation in many areas, and South Africa has since been regarded by the world at large as a unique example of peaceful change to a democratic system - thanks to two exceptional leaders, one black and one white, Nelson Mandela and F W de Klerk. For this they received international recognition by being nominated joint winners of the Nobel Prize in 1995.

All international sanctions were lifted in due course and South Africa was re-admitted as a member of the UN, the OAE and the IMF. After a 5-year term as president, Mandela announced that he was not available for a second term and in 1999 he was succeeded by his vice-president, Thabo Mbeki.

It is South Africa's declared objective to secure a good future for all its people in a peaceful manner. The country is still in a phase of reconstruction and development, and many of its problems remain unresolved at this stage. Nelson Mandela could not make good his promise of providing a home for every black family, but progress has been made in many areas. The political unrest has all but disappeared and the economy is flourishing. Tourism is on the increase, international co-operation and relations with neighbouring states are on a sound footing - one example of good neighbourliness is the new Trans-Frontiers Peace Park, where the boundaries between the Kruger National Park and game parks of Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe have been removed.

With its interesting history, variety of cultures, unsurpassed scenic and floral beauty and abundant animal and bird life, South Africa has become a top destination for tourists from around the world.