Historical Organization
National Party government
National Party government
Details
Organization Timeline
The ANC and government adopt the Groote Schuur Minute
📅 2 May 1990Their first formal talks committed both sides to address political prisoners, exiles and security laws obstructing negotiations.
The nationwide state of emergency is lifted
📅 7 June 1990The government ended emergency rule in most of South Africa, removing a major repressive obstacle while violence and restrictions persisted elsewhere.
The ANC and government sign the Pretoria Minute
📅 6 August 1990The government agreed to address remaining obstacles to negotiation, while the ANC announced suspension of armed actions to advance a political settlement.
Mandela and De Klerk hold emergency talks on violence
📅 16 August 1990The leaders met as attacks spread to Soweto after armed hostel residents assaulted train passengers, threatening the negotiation process.
The government permits thousands of exiles to return
📅 8 October 1990After a Mandela-De Klerk meeting, the government announced that about 20,000 exiles could come home, reversing a major consequence of repression.
The government publishes political-prisoner release guidelines
📅 1 November 1990Justice Minister Kobie Coetsee announced procedures, but the government and ANC disputed how many prisoners qualified.
The government and ANC sign the D. F. Malan Accord
📅 12 February 1991The accord affirmed peaceful protest and specified steps for suspending armed action while negotiations advanced.
De Klerk offers constitutional and security-law concessions
📅 2 May 1991Facing an ANC ultimatum, the president proposed including Black opposition figures in government and amending repressive laws.
The ANC demands action over Inkathagate
📅 22 July 1991After revelations of secret state funding for Inkatha, the ANC called for ministers to resign and covert counter-insurgency structures to be dismantled.
The National Peace Accord is signed
📅 14 September 1991Parties, unions, religious bodies and civic organizations agreed to codes of conduct and monitoring mechanisms intended to reduce political violence.
The ANC suspends negotiations after Boipatong
📅 21 June 1992Mandela withdrew from formal talks, demanding action against violence and evidence of state involvement.
ANC and government delegations hold a bilateral summit
📅 26 August 1992The meeting sought a way out of the post-Boipatong deadlock and prepared the ground for renewed constitutional negotiations.
Mandela and De Klerk agree to resume negotiations
📅 21 September 1992At a peace summit, the leaders reopened the path to constitutional talks after Boipatong and Bisho.
The ANC and government sign the Record of Understanding
📅 26 September 1992The agreement addressed political prisoners, hostels, dangerous weapons, an elected constituent assembly and mechanisms to overcome deadlock.
Forty-two political prisoners are released
📅 15 November 1992The releases implemented a key provision of the Record of Understanding and removed an obstacle to renewed talks.
ANC and government delegations report progress in bilateral talks
📅 26 January 1993The parties discussed security, a Government of National Unity, media reform and incorporation of the nominally independent homelands.
Mandela and De Klerk receive the Nobel Peace Prize
📅 15 October 1993The joint award recognized their roles in negotiating an end to apartheid, while many South Africans continued debating responsibility and compromise.
A state of emergency is declared in Natal
📅 31 March 1994De Klerk imposed emergency rule to curb escalating violence and protect the forthcoming election.