OCR Specification focus:
‘importance of FW de Klerk, Nelson Mandela and other individuals in bringing about end of Apartheid’
Introduction
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Frederik Willem (FW) de Klerk emerged as a decisive figure whose leadership and policies accelerated the peaceful dismantling of South Africa’s Apartheid system.
Background to FW de Klerk’s Leadership
Born in 1936 into a politically active Afrikaner family, FW de Klerk was a loyal member of the National Party (NP), which had enforced Apartheid since 1948. By the late 1980s, South Africa faced crippling international sanctions, economic stagnation, and growing domestic unrest. In 1989, de Klerk succeeded P.W. Botha as State President, inheriting a state under immense internal and external pressure.
Political Context in 1989
Economic decline: International sanctions, capital flight and reduced foreign investment weakened the economy.
Township unrest: Escalating violence, including strikes and protests, signalled that repression was unsustainable.
Global change: The end of the Cold War reduced Western support for anti-communist Apartheid policies, leaving South Africa diplomatically isolated.
Key Actions Taken by FW de Klerk
Release of Political Prisoners
De Klerk’s most significant decision was the release of Nelson Mandela on 11 February 1990 after 27 years of imprisonment. This act symbolised a decisive break from past policies and laid the foundation for negotiation.
Unbanning Political Organisations
In February 1990, de Klerk announced the legalisation of the African National Congress (ANC), the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), and the South African Communist Party (SACP).
This ended decades of political exclusion.
It allowed legitimate negotiations with previously outlawed movements.
Repeal of Apartheid Legislation
Between 1990 and 1991, de Klerk’s government repealed key Apartheid laws:
Population Registration Act (1950) – the cornerstone of racial classification.
Group Areas Act (1950) – enforced residential segregation.
Separate Amenities Act (1953) – legalised “petty apartheid” in public facilities.
Negotiations for a Democratic Constitution
De Klerk initiated and led talks with the ANC and other parties in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) beginning in 1991.
These negotiations established a roadmap for a non-racial democracy.
Despite political violence, he maintained dialogue, demonstrating commitment to peaceful transition.
Relationship with Nelson Mandela
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC): A body established in 1995 to investigate human rights abuses during Apartheid, encouraging testimony in exchange for amnesty.
De Klerk and Nelson Mandela developed a complex relationship marked by mutual respect but frequent disagreements:
Shared goal: A peaceful transition to majority rule.
Differences: Tensions arose over ongoing violence and the pace of reform.
Their eventual cooperation was crucial to avoid civil war.
Domestic and International Impact
Ending Apartheid’s Legal Framework
By dismantling the legal pillars of Apartheid, de Klerk ensured that future governments could not easily revert to racial segregation.
Securing International Acceptance
His reforms improved relations with Western nations, leading to:
Lifting of many economic sanctions.
Re-admittance of South Africa to international organisations.
Nobel Peace Prize
In 1993, FW de Klerk and Nelson Mandela jointly received the Nobel Peace Prize, recognising their collaborative effort to end Apartheid through negotiation rather than armed conflict.
De Klerk and Mandela receive the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize for their work in peacefully terminating Apartheid and laying foundations for a democratic South Africa. The ceremony’s formal setting at Oslo City Hall underlines the global significance of their partnership. Source
Challenges and Criticism
Resistance from the Right Wing
The Conservative Party and Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) opposed negotiations, sometimes violently.
De Klerk managed these threats without derailing reform.
Ongoing Violence
The early 1990s saw political violence, notably between ANC and Inkatha Freedom Party supporters.
Critics argued de Klerk’s government sometimes failed to prevent or even covertly encouraged clashes.
Legacy Debate
Some historians question whether de Klerk acted from moral conviction or pragmatic necessity, given economic crisis and international isolation. Nevertheless, his decisions remain pivotal.
Key Contributions to the End of Apartheid
Leadership and Pragmatism: Recognised Apartheid’s unsustainability and chose negotiation over repression.
Policy Reforms: Repealed discriminatory laws and initiated constitutional talks.
Partnership with Mandela: Maintained dialogue with the ANC despite political tension.
International Diplomacy: Restored South Africa’s global reputation, opening the path to reintegration.
Timeline of Major Actions
1989: Becomes State President.
February 1990: Announces unbanning of ANC and release of political prisoners.
1991: Repeals core Apartheid legislation.
1991–1993: Leads CODESA negotiations.
1993: Awarded Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela.
1994: Oversees South Africa’s first fully democratic elections, resulting in Mandela’s presidency.
Through these measures, FW de Klerk played an indispensable role in the peaceful transition from Apartheid to a democratic South Africa, fulfilling the OCR specification focus on his importance in bringing about the end of Apartheid.
FAQ
De Klerk faced growing dissent among younger National Party members who recognised Apartheid’s economic and diplomatic costs.
Business leaders lobbied for change due to capital flight and labour shortages caused by racial restrictions.
Security chiefs warned that continued repression risked uncontrollable violence, forcing pragmatic consideration of negotiation.
De Klerk combined firm security measures with careful political engagement.
He authorised intelligence monitoring of extremist organisations like the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB).
He held private talks with Conservative Party figures to reduce sabotage risks.
His willingness to use state forces to contain violent protests reassured moderates without alienating reformists.
By 1989 South Africa faced a debt crisis, rising unemployment, and declining investor confidence.
International sanctions limited access to global capital markets, while strikes disrupted key industries like mining.
De Klerk viewed political reform as essential to restoring trade links and attracting foreign investment, making economic recovery a key motive behind dismantling Apartheid.
The end of the Cold War removed the justification that Apartheid acted as a bulwark against communism.
Western allies, including the United States and United Kingdom, threatened sustained sanctions unless reforms advanced.
Commonwealth and United Nations initiatives highlighted South Africa’s isolation, creating diplomatic urgency for de Klerk to normalise relations through negotiation and legislative change.
Trained as a lawyer, de Klerk valued constitutional methods and careful legal drafting.
He insisted that reforms, including the repeal of Apartheid laws, follow formal parliamentary procedures to maintain legitimacy.
His legal mindset promoted detailed agreements at CODESA, ensuring that constitutional guarantees protected minority rights while enabling majority rule.
This methodical approach helped build trust with both domestic and international observers.
Practice Questions
Question 1 – 2 marks
Name two key legislative reforms introduced by FW de Klerk’s government between 1990 and 1991 that helped dismantle Apartheid.
Mark Scheme
1 mark for each accurately identified reform (maximum 2 marks).
Acceptable answers include:
Repeal of the Population Registration Act (1950) – 1 mark
Repeal of the Group Areas Act (1950) – 1 mark
Repeal of the Separate Amenities Act (1953) – 1 mark
Award a maximum of 2 marks in total.
Question 2 – 5 marks
Explain how FW de Klerk’s relationship with Nelson Mandela contributed to the peaceful transition from Apartheid to a non-racial democracy.
Mark Scheme
Up to 5 marks for a detailed explanation with accurate factual support.
1–2 marks: Basic description of their cooperation (e.g. both leaders worked together to end Apartheid).
3–4 marks: Clear explanation with specific examples such as the joint leadership in negotiations during CODESA, Mandela’s release in 1990, and shared commitment to ending racial segregation.
5 marks: Comprehensive answer showing depth, including tensions (e.g. disagreements over pace of reform or violence) yet highlighting their mutual respect and the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize as evidence of their successful collaboration.
