Leaders of six homelands reject new constitution

After a prolonged parliamentary session lasting 127 days, the new tricameral constitution was passed by 119 to 35 votes on 31 August 1983 and signed into law by State President Marais Viljoen three weeks later. As a result of the adoption of the Republic of South Africa Act, which made provision for a three-chamber parliament giving some representation to Coloureds and Indians, but still excluded Africans from parliament, leaders of six Black homelands issued a statement rejecting it. Their standpoint received support from different groups, including the South African Catholic Bishop Conference, the South African Council of Churches and Black business leaders, of whom some also signed the statement. Prime Minister P.W. Botha decided to test the opinion of White voters in a referendum before implementing the constitution. In the referendum, held on 2 November 1983, the constitution was given a go ahead with 66 % to 34 % of votes, on a 76% turn out. This indicated that the majority of White voters considered the new constitution a step in the right direction. The new constitution caused a split in the Coloured and Indian communities between those who saw it as a chance for advancement and those who rejected it, preferring to continue to fight for political rights for all Blacks.