Mahlabatini Declaration of Faith
Mahlabatini Declaration of Faith | |
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Created | 4 January 1974 |
Signatories | Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Harry Schwarz |
Purpose | Provide a blueprint for government of South Africa by consent and racial peace in a multi-racial society |
The Mahlabatini Declaration of Faith was a statement of core principles laid down by
Background
On 4 January 1974, Harry Schwarz, Transvaal leader of the official opposition United Party, met and had discussions with Gatsha (later Mangosuthu) Buthelezi, Chief Executive Councillor of the black homeland of KwaZulu. They jointly issued a document, which stated that "the situation of South Africa in the world scene as well as internal community relations requires, in our view, an acceptance of certain fundamental concepts for the economic, social and constitutional development of our country". It was intended for these core concepts to be the foundations for negotiations involving all in South Africa. Both leaders were acting in personal capacities.[1][page needed]
The declaration's purpose was to provide a blueprint for government of
Reaction and aftermath
The declaration was the first of its kind, in that it laid down the concept of a peaceful solution to South Africa's problems.[5] The declaration took place during a period when virtually no formal or informal political contact existed between black and white groups. Political figures such as Alan Paton praised the declaration. The agreement was heralded by many as a breakthrough in race relations in South Africa and drew much media interest both inside and outside South Africa.[6]
Black reaction
Shortly after the declaration was issued, several chief ministers of the black homelands, including Cedric Phatudi (Lebowa), Lucas Mangope (Bophuthatswana) and Prof HWE Ntsanwisi (Gazankulu), met in Cape Town. The leaders announced to the press that they fully supported the declaration.
In February 1974, Prime Minister of Swaziland Makhosini Dlamini praised the declaration as inspiration to South Africans "across the color line" and as an example of effectiveness in working for his people within the framework of the law.[citation needed]
In March 1974 Chief Phatudi, Harry Schwarz and M. I. Mitchell (United Party MP), had discussions at Sheshego. They issued a joint statement, endorsing the principles embodied in the Mahlabatini Declaration. It also stated that all South Africans must be united to meet any external threats, subversion, or terrorism, and that the best way of uniting the people to meet such threats was to give them a real stake in the society which they were asked to defend.[7][page needed]
Days after the declaration, Die Vaderland, an ardent Nationalist Afrikaans newspaper, mocked Schwarz and Buthelezi calling them the "heroes of Mahlabatini".
Prime Minister B. J. Vorster
On 4 February 1974, Prime Minister
"As far as Chief Buthelezi is concerned, I want to say at once that he is only one of eight chiefs. I regret the fact, because it could easily be misunderstood in the outside world, that some people and some newspapers adopt the attitude that he is the only Bantu leader in South Africa. As far as I am concerned, I want to make it very clear that I have respect for him in his capacity as leader of the Zulus. However, I have as much respect for the other leaders of the other Bantu peoples in South Africa. I want to go further - I am not doing him any injustice when I say this - by pointing out that some of the other Bantu leaders probably have more experience of public life than Chief Buthelezi has. Furthermore, I think that some of them are probably more careful when making statements."[8]
United Party and opposition realignment
Despite considerable support from black leaders and the English speaking press, the declaration drew much criticism from the establishment of Harry Schwarz's United Party. Schwarz, who had recently deposed the more conservative Marais Steyn from the leadership of the United Party in the
In 1975 divisions over the Mahlabatini Declaration manifested in several 'Young Turks', including Schwarz, being expelled from the party, by leader Sir de Villiers Graaff. The members who were either expelled or resigned, formed the Reform Party, with Schwarz as its leader. In July 1975, the Reform Party merged with the Progressive Party, which eventually became the Progressive Federal Party in 1977. This proved to realign opposition politics in South Africa, with the demise of the United Party as the PFP became the main opposition party, following the 1977 general election.[9][page needed]
Original text
The situation of South Africa in the world scene as well as internal community relations requires in our view an acceptance of certain fundamental concept for the economic social and constitutional development of our country.
We respectfully record five principles on the basis of which we believe all our people can co-operate.
1. Change in South Africa must be brought about by peaceful means.
2. Opportunity must be afforded to all our people for material and educational advancement. The economy must be available to serve the needs of all able and willing to contribute, and the wealth, labour and expertise of our country should be harnessed to provide job and entrepreneurial opportunity for all groups.
3. Constitutions, blue prints and plans for the future should not be made by only some of the people for all others, they must be made with people. Consultation and dialogue lead to government by consent and with this in mind and as a first step a consultative council representative of all groups in South Africa should be constituted at the earliest opportunity.
4. The federal concept appears to provide the best framework on which to seek a constitutional solution for a South Africa free from domination by any group over others and ensuring the security of all its people.
5. Any constitutional proposals for South Africans must:
(i) Safeguard the identity and culture of the various groups constituting the people of South Africa.
(ii) Include a bill of rights to safeguard the fundamental concepts of natural justice.
On the basis of these principles we declare our faith in a South Africa of equal opportunity, happiness, security and peace for all its people.[10]
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References
- ^ a b Eksteen, Terry. "The Decline of the United Party" (PDF). UCT. University of Cape Town. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
- ^ "Mahlabatini Declaration text". Retrieved 3 January 2018.
- ^ Barnard, Marius (2011). Defining Moments. Zebra Press.
- ISBN 086982077X.
- ^ "The Mahlabatini Declaration forty years on". The Mail & Guardian. 2014-01-30. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- ISBN 0869821032.
- ^ Vorster, B. J. (4 February 1974). Extract from a speech made in the House of Assembly on 4 February 1974 in reply to a motion of no confidence in the Government by the Leader of the Opposition (Speech). Parliament of South Africa. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ISBN 0869821199.
- ^ Leander (15 January 2014). "Mahlabatini Declaration of Faith (4 January, 1974)".
Further reading
- An appetite for power: Buthelezi's Inkatha and South Africa
- A Survey of race relations in South Africa by South African Institute of Race Relations
- If courage goes: my twenty years in South African politics by Catherine Taylor
- Loosing the bonds: the United States and South Africa in the apartheid years by Robert K. Massie