The Mandate for Change
An in-depth analysis of the pivotal white-only referendum that paved the way for a democratic South Africa.
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What Was It?
A Pivotal White-Only Vote
The 1992 South African apartheid referendum, held on March 17, 1992, was a critical national vote exclusively for white South African voters. Its purpose was to ascertain their support for the ongoing reform process initiated by State President F. W. de Klerk, which aimed at dismantling the apartheid system established in 1948 and negotiating a new constitution. The resounding "Yes" vote ultimately sanctioned the abolition of apartheid, marking this as the final electoral event limited solely to the white electorate before the introduction of universal suffrage in 1994.
De Klerk's Reforms Begin
The referendum was a direct consequence of the significant reforms announced by State President F. W. de Klerk on February 2, 1990. In his address to parliament, de Klerk declared the unbanning of major political parties, including the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party, and the imminent release of Nelson Mandela after 27 years of imprisonment. Further reforms included the suspension of capital punishment, the lifting of the state of emergency, and the abolition of acts restricting land ownership, separate living areas, and racial classification in 1991. These actions signaled a clear intent to negotiate a new constitutional order.
Historical Context
The Road to Negotiation
Following de Klerk's initial announcements, Nelson Mandela was released on February 11, 1990. South West Africa gained independence as Namibia on March 21, 1990, and by June, the state of emergency was lifted, with the ANC agreeing to a ceasefire. These developments set the stage for formal negotiations between the government and the ANC. However, progress was slow, leading to increasing political and social tensions across the nation.
Mounting Pressure for Change
Before the referendum, the ruling National Party faced significant challenges. It had lost three by-elections, particularly the Potchefstroom by-election on February 19, 1992, which de Klerk had declared a "test vote" for his reform agenda. This raised doubts about the government's mandate to negotiate. The Conservative Party, staunchly against the negotiations, boycotted the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA). Amid escalating violence in townships, rising prominence of right-wing groups, and growing dissatisfaction within both white and black communities, the government faced immense domestic and international pressure to advance the negotiations. De Klerk announced the referendum on February 20, stating he would resign if the "No" vote prevailed, thereby staking his political future on the outcome.
The Campaign
The "Yes" Mandate
The "Yes" campaign was spearheaded by the National Party and the Democratic Party. It benefited from extensive support from the government, the media, the international community, and a vast majority of commercial and business organizations. De Klerk framed the "Yes" vote as a mandate for "power sharing" rather than a surrender of power to the ANC. He warned that a "No" vote would lead to continued international sanctions, civil unrest, and worsening chaos. De Klerk also committed to a new constitution featuring a bill of rights, separation of powers, an independent judiciary, and a bicameral parliament, asserting that a second referendum would only be necessary if the final terms "substantially" differed from these promises. The campaign was unprecedented in South African history, featuring large political rallies, widespread newspaper advertisements, television commercials, and prominent "Yes! Ja! SA" posters. A particularly impactful poster depicted an AWB member with a gun, urging voters to "Stop this man! Vote YES."
The "No" Opposition
The "No" campaign was led by the Conservative Party and the Herstigte Nasionale Party, with Andries Treurnicht as a key figure. Their message warned against "black majority rule" and "ANC communist rule," advocating for white self-determination and the establishment of an independent homeland, or Volkstaat, for the white minority. However, the "No" campaign faced significant disadvantages, lacking comparable funding and media access, relying primarily on posters to convey its message. This disparity in resources and public platform made it challenging for them to counter the well-resourced "Yes" campaign.
Referendum Areas
Electoral Divisions
For the purpose of the referendum, South Africa was meticulously divided into fifteen distinct areas. Each area comprised a specific grouping of electoral divisions from the House of Assembly, ensuring a structured approach to collecting votes across the white electorate.
The Results
The Referendum Question
Voters were asked to respond to the following question:
"Do you support continuation of the reform process which the State President began on 2 February 1990 and which is aimed at a new Constitution through negotiation?"
The outcome was a decisive victory for the "Yes" side, indicating strong support among the white electorate for the continuation of reforms.
Overall and Regional Breakdown
The national results demonstrated a clear mandate for change, with a significant majority voting in favor of continuing the reform process. Turnout was remarkably high, reflecting the gravity of the decision for the white community.
The Aftermath
A New Chapter
The day after the referendum, President de Klerk declared, "Today we have closed the book on apartheid," coinciding with his 56th birthday. Nelson Mandela expressed his profound satisfaction, stating he was "very happy indeed." The Cape Times newspaper prominently announced the outcome with the headline "IT'S YES." This decisive vote provided de Klerk and his government with a clear mandate to proceed with negotiations for a new, non-racial constitution.
Disputed Claims and Legitimacy
Despite the clear outcome, right-wing groups criticized the referendum, alleging electoral fraud. They expressed disbelief at their losses in areas where they had historically been strongest, including the Afrikaner heartland and major cities. Conservative Party leader Andries Treurnicht attributed the "Yes" victory to media propaganda, foreign intervention, threats from business leaders against employees, and electoral irregularities. However, no credible evidence of electoral fraud was ever presented. The high voter turnout, exceeding 96% in some areas, underscored the legitimacy of the process.
Towards Universal Suffrage
The African National Congress, while initially disapproving of the white-only nature of the referendum, ultimately advocated for a "Yes" vote. This strategic decision was driven by the understanding that a "No" outcome would not only jeopardize the ongoing negotiations but also exacerbate political instability and chaos across the country. The referendum's results closely mirrored the regional voting patterns of the 1989 House of Assembly election, indicating a consistent shift in white political sentiment. This pivotal moment directly paved the way for South Africa's first non-racial elections on April 27, 1994, which saw a landslide victory for the African National Congress and the historic inauguration of Nelson Mandela as the nation's first black President.
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References
References
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- Toward Democracy Library of Congress Country Studies
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