Government of National Unity (South Africa)
Encyclopedia
Between April 27, 1994 and February 3, 1997 South Africa
was governed under the terms of the interim Constitution of South Africa. Clause 88 of the interim Constitution required that any party holding twenty or more seats in the National Assembly
could claim one or more cabinet portfolios and enter the government. This arrangement was known as the provision for a Government of National Unity (GNU).
In the election of April 27, 1994 the African National Congress
obtained the majority of seats in the National Assembly, and thus could form the government on its own. The two chief parties who made use of the provision for a GNU were the National Party
and the Inkatha Freedom Party
, both of which obtained cabinet portfolios for their leaders and other Members of Parliament. President Nelson Mandela
also invited other parties to join the cabinet, even though they did not obtain the minimum twenty seats in the National Assembly.
The aims of the GNU centered around correcting social and economic injustices left by the legacy of Apartheid. The main aim however, was that of creating a final constitution. The constitution was essentially a two step process. During the CODESA talks - started in 1991 - the NP(National Party) and ANC (African National Congress) agreed to create an interim constitution, which would be the basis for a final constitution. The final constitution was to be drawn up by the two chambers of parliament - the Senate and National Assembly.
However it was impertinent to the GNU that the opinions of ordinary South Africans be included into the constitution. From 1994 to 1996 the GNU organised large media campaigns. This was not easy, considering that they needed to reach 40 million people, most of whom were illiterate or didn’t have television. Slogans such as “You’ve made your mark, now have your say” were used to gain public attention for the cause. Over 1.7 million written submissions were collected over the two years. These included opinions on matters ranging from the death penalty to abortion.
On May 8, 1996 the final Constitution
was adopted by the National Assembly and one day later, second Deputy President of the Republic Frederik de Klerk announced the withdrawal of his National Party from the GNU, with effect from June 30.
The requirement for the GNU lapsed at the end of the first Parliament in 1999. Even so, the Inkatha Freedom Party and the Azanian People's Organisation continued to hold seats in the government, as minority partners, until the elections of 2004
.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
was governed under the terms of the interim Constitution of South Africa. Clause 88 of the interim Constitution required that any party holding twenty or more seats in the National Assembly
National Assembly of South Africa
The National Assembly is the lower house of the Parliament of South Africa, located in Cape Town, Western Cape Province. It consists of no fewer than 350 and no more than 400 members...
could claim one or more cabinet portfolios and enter the government. This arrangement was known as the provision for a Government of National Unity (GNU).
In the election of April 27, 1994 the African National Congress
African National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
obtained the majority of seats in the National Assembly, and thus could form the government on its own. The two chief parties who made use of the provision for a GNU were the National Party
National Party (South Africa)
The National Party is a former political party in South Africa. Founded in 1914, it was the governing party of the country from 4 June 1948 until 9 May 1994. Members of the National Party were sometimes known as Nationalists or Nats. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a...
and the Inkatha Freedom Party
Inkatha Freedom Party
The Inkatha Freedom Party is a political party in South Africa. Since its founding, it has been led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi. It is currently the fourth largest party in the National Assembly of South Africa.-History:...
, both of which obtained cabinet portfolios for their leaders and other Members of Parliament. President Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
also invited other parties to join the cabinet, even though they did not obtain the minimum twenty seats in the National Assembly.
The aims of the GNU centered around correcting social and economic injustices left by the legacy of Apartheid. The main aim however, was that of creating a final constitution. The constitution was essentially a two step process. During the CODESA talks - started in 1991 - the NP(National Party) and ANC (African National Congress) agreed to create an interim constitution, which would be the basis for a final constitution. The final constitution was to be drawn up by the two chambers of parliament - the Senate and National Assembly.
However it was impertinent to the GNU that the opinions of ordinary South Africans be included into the constitution. From 1994 to 1996 the GNU organised large media campaigns. This was not easy, considering that they needed to reach 40 million people, most of whom were illiterate or didn’t have television. Slogans such as “You’ve made your mark, now have your say” were used to gain public attention for the cause. Over 1.7 million written submissions were collected over the two years. These included opinions on matters ranging from the death penalty to abortion.
On May 8, 1996 the final Constitution
Constitution of South Africa
The Constitution of South Africa is the supreme law of the country of South Africa. It provides the legal foundation for the existence of the republic, sets out the rights and duties of its citizens, and defines the structure of the government. The current constitution, the country's fifth, was...
was adopted by the National Assembly and one day later, second Deputy President of the Republic Frederik de Klerk announced the withdrawal of his National Party from the GNU, with effect from June 30.
The requirement for the GNU lapsed at the end of the first Parliament in 1999. Even so, the Inkatha Freedom Party and the Azanian People's Organisation continued to hold seats in the government, as minority partners, until the elections of 2004
South African general election, 2004
Legislative elections were held in South Africa on Wednesday, 14 April 2004. The African National Congress of President Thabo Mbeki, which came to power after the end of the apartheid system in 1994, was re-elected with an increased majority....
.