QUESTION FOCUS: THE NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT OF
NATIONAL UNITY
"President FW de Klerk's speech at the opening of the South African parliament in
Cape Town on 2 February 1990 signalled a turning point in the struggle for
democracy in South Africa. On this day, President De Klerk lifted the ban on the
major anti-apartheid organisations, undertook to release Nelson Mandela and other
political prisoners, and declared the door to negotiations open" (Arnold, 1992:1; Sisk,
1995:56)
In the context of the above background, investigate the following research question:
How did South Africa emerge as a democracy from the crises of the 1990s?
The focus of the Research task should be on the following, among others:
• How did the political parties build a unified democracy through
leadership, compromise and negotiations?
• How did the signing of the five most important documents in the
negotiation process lead to the Government of National Unity (GNU)?
• Explain the impact of the instances of destabilising violence on the
negotiations.

In the 1990s, South Africa transitioned towards democracy through a series of significant events and actions: 1. President FW de Klerk's pivotal speech in 1990 marked a turning point by lifting the ban on major anti-apartheid organizations, committing to release Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners, and opening the door to negotiations. This gesture demonstrated a shift towards inclusivity and dialogue. 2. Political parties played a crucial role in building a unified democracy through leadership, compromise, and negotiations. Leaders like Nelson Mandela and de Klerk engaged in dialogue, made concessions, and worked towards a common vision of a democratic South Africa, despite their previous conflicts. 3. The signing of key documents during the negotiation process, such as the Groote Schuur Minute, Pretoria Minute, and the Interim Constitution, paved the way for the establishment of the Government of National Unity (GNU). These agreements outlined power-sharing arrangements and the transition to a democratic system. 4. Instances of destabilizing violence, like the armed conflict between different factions and clashes with security forces, posed challenges to the negotiation process. However, leaders persevered through these challenges, demonstrating resilience and commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution. Overall, South Africa's emergence as a democracy in the 1990s was characterized by leadership, compromise, negotiations, and a commitment to reconciliation despite the obstacles faced along the way.