Following the controversy of Ian Smith’s United National Party government, the 1977 election saw a landslide victory for Denis Worrall’s Liberal Party, promising to halt South Africa’s growing global isolation and adopt a path of reform, with the aim of universal suffrage by the next election. Worrall’s term saw widespread consultation with many groups, which eventually resulted in the drafting of a new constitution, which included:
- a guarantee of equal suffrage
- abolition of the provinces and their replacement with new states
- abolition of the South African monarchy and replaced it with a parliament-appointed Chief Executive
- the renaming of the cities of Robertsville and Watersridge to Tshwane and Gauteng, respectively.
The new constitution was then put to a referendum in 1981, in which all people groups could vote. The new constitution was approved by 78% of the voters, prompting the issuing of writs for a new general election for the next year, in which all South Africans would have the right to vote.
The 1982 election was South Africa’s first fully democratic election, without regard to race, wealth or gender. After the ratification of South Africa’s new constitution, which replaced the Union of South Africa with the Commonwealth of South Africa in 1981, South Africa’s first non-racial elections were held, with nine parties contesting the election. Incumbent Prime Minister Denis Worrall attempted to retain his position on a platform of continuing the reforms his party had begun. The election also saw record turnout, with millions exercising their new-found right to vote. Ultimately, Allan Hendricks won the election, becoming South Africa’s first non-white Prime Minister. Among his promises were fair wealth redistribution to improve standards of living nationally, and a National Reconciliation Commission. Entering into a coalition with the African People’s Party (led first by Oliver Tambo and then Nelson Mandela), Hendricks faced the challenge of reuniting a divided nation.
Review questions:
1. Based on the map above, identify geographic patterns in the distribution of votes for three parties.
2. Suggest why turnout was so high at the election.
3. What was a key reason for Allan Hendricks’ victory?
4. Which parties formed a coalition after the coalition?
