“de Klerk’s New Course Did Little To Improve The Situation Of Black South Africans During 1989-91.” To What Extent Do You Agree With This Statement?

F.W. de Klerk came to power in 1989, after the former National Party leader P.W. Botha was incapacitated by a stroke. De Klerk promptly and radically overhauled the apartheid regime, announcing a New Course in his inaugural address of February 1990. Despite the massive reforms involved (which did make some positive differences to the everyday life of Black South Africans), De Klerk s changes also failed to address vast social and political turmoil in the short-term. Street violence increased, opposition parties such as the Inkhata Freedom Party appeared and organisations such as the ANC who had long been in exile were unable to take advantage of their new legalisation . It is therefore correct to state that the New Course did little to improve the immediate situation of black South Africans, however it certainly had some impact. The changes should be understood in the context of the subsequent 1992 referendum and 1994 democratic elections however both direct consequences of De Klerk s ground-breaking steps towards dismantling apartheid.

De Klerk s New Course reflected the harsh realities of the late 1980s and aimed to counter some of the civil unrest and violence engulfing the country, as well as improve the economic isolation that was hampering growth in South Africa. In turn, it was hoped that this change of direction would improve the National Party s own fortunes. Announced on 2 February 1990, it included the release of political prisoners, loosening of media control and the unbanning of political parties such as the ANC, PAC and SACP. Whilst the release of political prisoners certainly made a central improvement to the lives of many individuals one of the most significant releases was Nelson Mandela on 11 February 1990. Although Mandela was not immediately able to take control of the anti-apartheid movement and improve the situation of black South Africans, his release served a crucial symbolic role giving hope and purpose to many.

Despite Mandela s release and their fresh legalisation, the ANC faced many problems, and was unable to capitalise on political momentum of De Klerk s New Course immediately. After being exiled since 1960, they had no formal political organisation within the country and lacked the internal organisation, administrative structures and experienced staff to run a political campaign. In addition, many grassroots members who had stayed in the country felt that those imprisoned or in exile (such as Mandela or Tambo) no longer represented their interests. ANC members, often as part of the United Democratic Front (UDF) had also participated in the violence of the 1980s& an issue that continued to have vastly negative impacts on the lives of black South Africans in the early 1990s.

In August 1990, the ANC officially renounced violence, but unrest was seemingly impossible to contain. Between 1990 and 1993 over 350 people were killed on commuter trains, as rival groups fought for territory. The problems facing black South Africans could not be easily removed by one political speech& these included a lack of educational facilities and overcrowding, extreme poverty, and the rise of violent groups. The Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) were a white extremist group who committed bombings, attacked political opposition meetings and intimidated black South Africans. Black nationalist groups also sprung up, such as the Inkhata Freedom Party who aimed at national self-determination and ruthlessly attacked ANC supporters, particularly in the Zulu homeland of Natal.

Although widespread violence and political fighting undoubtedly meant that the daily situation for many people improved little, De Klerk s speech did commit the government to constitutional change. In October 1990, the Separate Amenities Act which formed the basis for petty apartheid was repealed and the daily injustices faced by so many black South Africans (such as separate water-fountains and toilets) were now lifted. In addition, Grand Apartheid measures were also repealed in June 1991, such as the Population Registration Act and Group Areas act which meant that restrictions on mixed marriages and land ownership were relaxed. Importantly, although these were just the first steps towards ending apartheid and improving life for black South Africans, De Klerk s New Course left no one in doubt as to the future scale of his intentions.

In conclusion, prior to 1991 the negative impact of violence largely outweighed the positive reforms of early legislative actions resulting in limited improvement to the lives of black South Africans. Despite this, De Klerk s New Course paved the way for the complete dismantling of apartheid and should be seen as a central move towards a more equal South African society. The transition to democracy entailed the first CODESA negotiations of 1991, which resulted in a statement of intent committing the government to reform. This enabled De Klerk to seek a referendum in March 1992, assessing support among white voters. The 69% mandate allowed De Klerk to build on the limited reforms of 1990-91, and ultimately make real and lasting improvements to the political, economic and social lives of black South Africans.