Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi calls for National Convention

The leader of the Zulu Territorial Authority, Chief Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi, called for a National Convention of all races in South Africa to make a decision on the country's future political direction. This call was rejected by Prime Minister Balthazar Johannes (B.J.) Vorster, however, it was supported as a constructive proposal by both the opposition United Party (UP) and the Progressive Party (PP). In 1994, following threats to boycott the first democratic elections scheduled for 26 to 28 April, the IFP agreed to provisionally register for elections in terms of the Electoral Act. However, the IFP concession was not accepted by its Youth Brigade, which was holding out for all IFP demands to be met unconditionally. It warned of a resistance campaign, creating the tacit understanding that this would involve yet more violence. Such a stance, amid already heightened political tensions, and so close to the election, was perceived as a very real threat to the election process.