OCR Specification focus:
‘Government of National Unity and the role of Nelson Mandela; Reconstruction and Development Programme and its effectiveness; development of new constitution and its consequences, Truth and Reconciliation Commission.’
South Africa’s transition from apartheid after 1989 ushered in a complex period of democratic construction, nation-building and reconciliation under Nelson Mandela’s leadership and the Government of National Unity.
Government of National Unity (GNU)
The Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed after the 1994 democratic elections, the first in South Africa’s history to include all races. The African National Congress (ANC), National Party (NP), and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) shared power to ensure political stability during the fragile post-apartheid years.
Key features of the GNU included:
Power-sharing: The 1993 Interim Constitution required that any party winning over 20% of the vote receive cabinet representation.
Joint decision-making: Major policy decisions needed broad consensus, which helped calm fears among minorities but sometimes slowed reform.
Symbolic unity: Bringing together former adversaries demonstrated commitment to inclusive governance.
Nelson Mandela’s Role
Nelson Mandela, inaugurated as President on 10 May 1994, embodied reconciliation. He worked to unite South Africa’s racially divided society and reassure white South Africans while addressing black South Africans’ expectations for rapid change.
Bridge-builder: Mandela promoted forgiveness over retribution, famously supporting the Springbok rugby team during the 1995 World Cup to foster national pride across racial lines.
Institutional reformer: He strengthened democratic institutions, championed an independent judiciary, and upheld the rule of law.
International statesman: Mandela re-established South Africa’s presence in global forums, attracting investment and diplomatic goodwill essential for economic recovery.
Reconciliation: The process of repairing relationships and fostering unity between groups previously divided by conflict, particularly between racial communities in post-apartheid South Africa.
Mandela’s charisma and moral authority were pivotal in preventing ethnic violence and ensuring the transition remained peaceful.
Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP)
The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) was the ANC’s flagship socio-economic policy, designed to redress inequalities created by apartheid.
Rows of RDP houses in Soweto exemplify the programme’s mass-housing focus in the mid-1990s. Such developments aimed to expand access to basic services and formal shelter. Note that the image shows one locality; national outcomes varied by province and year. Source
Objectives
Housing: Provide affordable homes for millions of black South Africans living in informal settlements.
Infrastructure: Expand access to clean water, electricity, and sanitation.
Education and health: Improve schools, reduce illiteracy, and expand primary healthcare services.
Employment: Stimulate job creation through public works and encourage growth in key industries.
Implementation and Effectiveness
Achievements:
Construction of hundreds of thousands of low-cost houses.
Significant extension of electricity and water supply to rural areas.
Launch of primary healthcare clinics and free medical care for children under six.
Limitations:
Economic constraints and rising unemployment hindered delivery.
Corruption and bureaucratic inefficiency slowed progress.
By the late 1990s, critics argued that the RDP’s ambitious targets were only partially met.
Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP): A socio-economic policy introduced by the ANC in 1994 to address apartheid-era inequalities through housing, infrastructure, education, and healthcare reforms.
The RDP Office was later absorbed into other government departments, reflecting a shift towards market-oriented policies such as the Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) strategy.
Development of the New Constitution
A key achievement of the GNU was the drafting of the 1996 Constitution, regarded as one of the most progressive in the world.
Exterior of the Constitutional Court of South Africa at Constitution Hill, Johannesburg. Established under the new constitutional order, the Court safeguards the Bill of Rights and the separation of powers. The welcoming architecture symbolises openness and transparency envisaged by the 1996 Constitution. Source
Bill of Rights: Guaranteed freedoms of speech, religion, and equality before the law.
Checks and balances: Created an independent Constitutional Court to protect civil liberties.
Decentralisation: Recognised provincial governments to accommodate regional diversity.
Non-racial democracy: Explicitly outlawed discrimination on grounds of race, gender, or sexual orientation.
This constitution transformed South Africa into a constitutional democracy, ensuring that no future government could legally re-impose racial segregation.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established in 1995 to confront the human rights abuses of the apartheid era.
Structure
Amnesty Committee: Granted amnesty to individuals who made full disclosures of politically motivated crimes.
Human Rights Violations Committee: Investigated atrocities committed by state and anti-apartheid forces.
Reparations Committee: Recommended compensation for victims.
Impact
National healing: Provided a public forum for victims to share experiences, fostering catharsis and understanding.
Controversy: Some criticised the amnesty process for allowing perpetrators to escape justice, while others saw it as essential for reconciliation.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC): A body set up in 1995 to investigate apartheid-era crimes, offering amnesty in exchange for full disclosure and promoting national reconciliation.
Social and Economic Conditions in 1989 Context
When the GNU began its work, South Africa faced:
High inequality between white and black citizens.
Violence from political factions and criminal gangs.
Economic challenges, including international debt and the need to reintegrate into global markets.
Addressing these issues required balancing rapid transformation with maintaining investor confidence.
Legacy of the GNU and Mandela’s Leadership
The period from 1989 to 1999 demonstrated how inclusive governance, visionary leadership, and carefully designed institutions could transform a society emerging from decades of racial oppression. The Government of National Unity, Reconstruction and Development Programme, new constitution, and Truth and Reconciliation Commission remain central topics for understanding South Africa’s democratic foundation.
FAQ
The National Party initially struggled with mistrust from both its own supporters and ANC members.
Many white officials feared loss of influence and security.
ANC members worried about slowing reform due to conservative resistance.
Disagreements emerged over economic policy and the pace of land reform, prompting the National Party to withdraw from the GNU in 1996.
Mandela toured key global capitals to restore South Africa’s reputation, stressing democratic stability and reconciliation.
This reassured foreign governments and businesses, leading to:
Re-entry into the Commonwealth and improved trade agreements.
Lifting of economic sanctions and renewed access to international loans.
Increased investor confidence, which helped stabilise the post-apartheid economy despite domestic challenges.
traditional criminal tribunals?
The TRC focused on restorative justice rather than punitive measures.
Offenders could gain amnesty by making full, public disclosures of politically motivated crimes.
Victims were given a platform to share testimonies, fostering national healing.
This model balanced accountability with reconciliation, influencing later truth commissions worldwide.
The Constitution recognised eleven official languages, ensuring equality beyond English and Afrikaans.
Provincial governments were empowered to promote indigenous languages.
Cultural rights clauses protected traditions of smaller ethnic groups.
Independent bodies, such as the Pan South African Language Board, were created to monitor implementation.
Economic realities forced the government to revise targets and seek alternative approaches.
Greater reliance on private–public partnerships to build housing and infrastructure.
Gradual shift toward the more market-driven Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) strategy by 1996.
Prioritisation of essential services like water and electricity over ambitious nationwide projects.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
Name one key objective of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) and explain briefly how it aimed to address inequalities created by apartheid.
Mark scheme:
1 mark for identifying a correct objective (e.g. housing provision, expanding access to clean water, extending electricity, improving education, or primary healthcare).
1 mark for a brief explanation of how it addressed apartheid inequalities (e.g. providing affordable housing to replace informal settlements, delivering basic services to historically neglected black communities, etc.).
Question 2 (5 marks)
Explain two ways in which the Government of National Unity (GNU) helped to stabilise South Africa in the years immediately after the 1994 election.
Mark scheme:
Up to 3 marks for the first well-explained way, up to 3 marks for the second (maximum 5 overall).
Credit specific points such as:
Power-sharing arrangements ensured representation of multiple parties (ANC, National Party, Inkatha Freedom Party), calming fears of minority exclusion.
Joint decision-making promoted consensus and prevented domination by any single group.
Symbolic unity demonstrated commitment to inclusive governance, reassuring both domestic and international audiences.
Mandela’s leadership within the GNU promoted reconciliation and reduced the risk of political violence.
Answers must explain how each factor contributed to stability to gain full marks.
