CODESA

Details

Organization Timeline

CODESA opens multiparty negotiations on South Africa’s political future

📅 20 December 1991

Mandela attended the opening of the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) at Kempton Park. The forum brought political organisations and the government into a formal negotiation process...

Mandela presents the ANC’s programme for a democratic South Africa

📅 8 January 1992

At the ANC’s 80th anniversary observance, Mandela delivered the organisation’s annual January statement and outlined its policy programme and electoral preparations. The ANC framed democracy around...

CODESA II begins and reaches a deadlock over the transition

📅 15 May 1992

The second CODESA plenary opened at Kempton Park. Negotiators remained divided over majority rule, the interim government, constitutional thresholds and the powers of regions. The ANC rejected...

Mandela announces the ANC’s suspension of talks after Boipatong

📅 21 June 1992

At a rally in Evaton after visiting Boipatong, Mandela announced the ANC was suspending bilateral negotiations with the government and reviewing its role in CODESA. He said he could not explain to...

Mandela and de Klerk sign a Record of Understanding

📅 26 September 1992

Mandela and President de Klerk signed a Record of Understanding after a bilateral summit. It addressed the release of political prisoners, the fencing of hostels, restrictions on carrying dangerous...