IN THE AFTERMATH OF DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS - May 1994 - December 1996

Introduction

The South African elections of April 1994 have been widely hailed as a 'political miracle' and the subsequent installation of South Africa's first democratically elected government referred to as the result of a 'negotiated revolution'.

As predicted, there ensued a dramatic cooling of the political temperature manifested in a rapid and marked decline in the political death-toll in the months that followed. Also, as expected, no major force with any significant muscle emerged to challenge the validity of the election results or to pose a threat to their acceptance. On the contrary, a realignment of the political landscape, imagined or actual, has taken place with the departure or evaporation of some previous aspirant stakeholders in political power; and with the re-positioning of others anxious to retain whatever power possible from their apartheid inheritance.

Part D of this book examines the residual destabilisation activity continuing beyond the transfer of power to' a democratically elected majority government in an attempt to assess from where such activity emanates and whether it poses any threat to our fledgling democracy.

Calender of major events after elections

1994

May

October

Inauguration of Nelson Mandela as president.
Opening of first democratic parliament of South Africa.
Constitutional court established.

1995

June
July
October
November

December

Truth and Reconciliation Commission approved by parliament.
Local government elections announced for 1 November.
Local government elections postponed for KwaZulu/Natal.
Local government elections (except KwaZulu/Natal and parts of Western Cape).
Truth Commission starts work
Shobashobane massacre.

1996

May
June
December

Local government elections in Western Cape (29th).
Local government elections in KwaZulu/Natal (26th).
Final constitution approved by the constitutional court and signed by president Mandela.

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