The Negotiated Settlement, Government of National Unity, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Vocabulary flashcards covering the political negotiations, interim agreements, massacres, constitutional development, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) during South Africa's transition to democracy.

Groote Schuur Minute

A May 1990 agreement between the ANC and the South African government that addressed security laws, political violence, political prisoners, the armed struggle, and the return of exiles.

Pretoria Minute

An August 1990 agreement where the ANC agreed to suspend its armed struggle in exchange for the government lifting the national state of emergency.

CODESA (Convention for a Democratic South Africa)

A formal negotiation conference established in December 1991 at the World Trade Centre near Johannesburg, bringing together nearly 300 delegates from 19 political organisations to plan South Africa's democratic future.

Declaration of Intent

A formal commitment signed by participants at CODESA pledging to establish democracy and setting up working groups to address constitution drafting, interim governance, homelands, and transition timetables.

"Third Force"

A covert network involving members of the apartheid security forces suspected of orchestrating and fueling political violence to destabilise multi-party negotiations.

Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP)

A socioeconomic development initiative developed under pressure from COSATU and its allies to address poverty, housing shortages, low wages, and poor working conditions.

Whites-Only Referendum of 1992

A referendum called by F.W. de Klerk among white voters to counter conservative opposition and secure a public mandate to proceed with constitutional negotiations.

Boipatong Massacre

A June 1992 attack by Inkatha-aligned migrant hostel dwellers on township residents, prompting the ANC to withdraw from talks and causing the collapse of CODESA.

Bisho Massacre

A September 1992 incident in the Ciskei homeland where homeland soldiers opened fire on demonstrators, accelerating efforts by leaders to restart negotiations.

Record of Understanding

A September 1992 pact negotiated by Cyril Ramaphosa and Roelf Meyer that restarted negotiations by banning dangerous traditional weapons, securing hostels, and securing ANC support for a Government of National Unity.

Sunset Clause

A power-sharing compromise proposed by Joe Slovo recommending a coalition Government of National Unity for five years to reassure the National Party and white civil servants.

Chris Hani

A popular ANC and SACP leader whose April 1993 assassination triggered nationwide unrest and increased urgency to finalise an agreement for democratic elections.

Multi-Party Negotiating Forum

The multi-party body convened in April 1993 that resumed talks following the collapse of CODESA, drafting the interim constitution and scheduling the 1994 democratic election.

Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB)

A right-wing paramilitary group led by Eugene Terre'Blanche that opposed majority rule, invaded the World Trade Centre in June 1993, and later intervened in Bophuthatswana.

Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA)

The armed wing of the PAC that opposed multi-party negotiations and carried out armed attacks on civilians, including the St James Church and Heidelberg Tavern attacks.

Shell House Massacre

A violent clash in March 1994 outside the ANC headquarters in Johannesburg between armed Inkatha marchers and ANC security guards, resulting in at least 53 deaths.

Government of National Unity (GNU)

A transitional coalition government established after the 1994 elections that included every party winning at least 5% of the national vote, namely the ANC, National Party, and IFP.

Constitutional Assembly

The body comprising the National Assembly and the Senate, chaired by Cyril Ramaphosa, responsible for consulting the public and drafting South Africa's final 1996 Constitution.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)

A commission established under the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act in 1995 and chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu to uncover apartheid-era human rights abuses committed between 1960 and 1994.

Restorative Justice

A philosophy of justice adopted by the TRC that emphasizes confession, truth-telling, reconciliation, and healing relationships rather than retribution and punishment.

Retributive Justice

A judicial model centered on prosecuting and punishing perpetrators for their crimes, exemplified by the post-World War II Nuremberg Trials.

Ubuntu

An African philosophy affirming that an individual's humanity is intrinsically bound to the humanity of others, providing the ethical basis for the TRC's restorative focus.

Human Rights Violations Committee

A TRC committee that gathered statements and heard testimonies from victims of gross human rights abuses committed under apartheid.

Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee

A TRC committee tasked with supporting victims and recommending financial, medical, and emotional compensation to restore their dignity.

Amnesty Committee

A TRC body that evaluated individual applications for legal indemnity, granting amnesty only to applicants who made full disclosure of politically motivated acts.

Eugene de Kock

The former Vlakplaas police commander, nicknamed "Prime Evil," whose confessions before the TRC detailed covert, state-sanctioned violence and implicated high-ranking apartheid officials.