This document summarizes the development of South Africa's political system from 1989 to 2012. It describes the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990 after 27 years in prison, followed by 4 years of negotiations for an interim constitution. The new permanent constitution was signed in 1996 and took effect in 1997, establishing a constitutional democracy with a three-tier system of government. The first democratic elections were held in 1994 and were won by the African National Congress led by Mandela, marking the end of apartheid.

1. Development of South Africa's
political system 1989-2012
Till Karsten
08/06/13

2. 2
constitution & political system.
Release of
Nelson
Mandela
in february 1990
&
4 years of
negotiation for
transit constitution
Signing the new
constitution in
1996
&
became effictive
at 04.02.1997
Bill of rights in
second chapter:
rights &
responsibilities in
political, commercial,
social & civil
questions.

3. 3
 Constitutional democracy with federal structure
 Three-tier system of government & independent judiciary
 9 provinces
 Capital
 Pretoria (executive branch)
 Bloemfontein (judicial branch)
 Cape Town (legislative branch)
 Parliament of South Africa
 National Assembly (lower house)
 400 members, elected by popular vote (party-list proportional
representation system)
 National Council of Provinces (upper house)
 President of South Africa
 Head of state and head of government
 Elected by the members of National Assembly
constitution & political system // 2.

4. 4
political parties.
• 27.05.1994: first democratic election
• 27.05. now public holiday (freedom day)
• mark the end of the apartheid
• every 5 years new vote
• no 5% barrier – only party vote
• 19 parties
• African National Congress (ANC - Mandela): 62 %
• National Party (NP - de Klerk): 20 %
• Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP): 10 %
• Freedom Front (FF): 2 %
• Democratic Party (DP): 1 %

5. 5
political parties.
Jakob Zuma
President

6. 6
ANC – project or party?
 Founded 08.01.1912 as “South African Native National Congress”
(SANNC) – Party?
 Response to injustice against black South Africans
 Reason: Native Land Act
 Black People could only buy land in separated areas (7% of SA)
 Protest was peaceful (note of protest, complaint letter) but
ineffective
 Renaming in „African National Congress“ (ANC) in 1923
 In 1952: Organization of the „Defiance Campaign“ agains the law of
the apartheid-regime (at this time: Mass-Organization)
 Sharpeville-Massacre at 21.03.1960 (69 protester killed by police)
 Bann of ANC in 1960 – Project?
 Military organization / acts of violence in 60s & 70s / training camps
in China & Marocco
 Rivonia-Process in 1964 (Nelson Mandela in jail)

7. 7
ANC – project or party? // 2
 Secret conversations in the 80s
 Offer to Mandela to leave the jail & stop the conflict
 Mandela refused without change of the system & end of the
apartheid
 Repeal of ANC-Bann
 By President Frederik Willem de Klerk at 02.02.1990
 Release of Nelson Mandela from jail
 New Constitution and democratic elections
 ANC win every election since 1994
 ANC in the noughties - Normal Party?
 Allegation of Corruption in 2008
 Separation of ANC-Members for founding the „Congress of the
People” (COPE)
 Member of the Socialist International
 Officially removed from the United States terrorism watch list in 2008