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Dismantling apartheid, 1990 to 94
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Between 1990 and 1994 South Africa moved from apartheid to democracy. Nelson Mandela went from prisoner to President.
De Klerk's reforms
F.W. de Klerk became President in 1989.
In February 1990 he unbanned the ANC and other groups and released Nelson Mandela after 27 years in prison.
In 1991 the key apartheid laws, including the Population Registration Act and Group Areas Act, were repealed.
In February 1990 he unbanned the ANC and other groups and released Nelson Mandela after 27 years in prison.
In 1991 the key apartheid laws, including the Population Registration Act and Group Areas Act, were repealed.
Negotiations and violence
Talks between the government, the ANC and others worked out a new constitution.
Violence threatened the process, including fighting between ANC and Inkatha supporters and the murder of ANC leader Chris Hani (1993).
Mandela and de Klerk shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Violence threatened the process, including fighting between ANC and Inkatha supporters and the murder of ANC leader Chris Hani (1993).
Mandela and de Klerk shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
The 1994 election
In April 1994 South Africa held its first multiracial election: all adults could vote.
The ANC won a large majority, and Nelson Mandela became President.
The ANC won a large majority, and Nelson Mandela became President.
Why did de Klerk decide to end apartheid?
- Sanctions and boycotts were damaging the economy.
- Resistance and unrest showed apartheid could not be kept by force.
- The end of the Cold War meant the ANC could no longer be presented as a communist threat.
Answer: Economic pressure, unrest and the end of the Cold War made change unavoidable.
De Klerk (President from 1989) unbanned the ANC and released Mandela (February 1990); apartheid laws were repealed (1991). Negotiations survived violence; Mandela and de Klerk shared the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize. The first multiracial election (April 1994) made Mandela President.
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