South African general election, 1989

E35019

The South African general election of 1989 was the last whites-only parliamentary election held under apartheid, marking a turning point that led to negotiations to end minority rule and transition to democracy.


Statements (48)
Predicate Object
instanceOf event in South African history
general election
parliamentary election
associatedWith release of Nelson Mandela in 1990
unbanning of liberation movements in 1990
context Cold War era politics in Southern Africa
country South Africa
date 6 September 1989
electoralBody Coloured electorate for House of Representatives
Indian electorate for House of Delegates
white electorate for House of Assembly
electoralIssue international sanctions and isolation of South Africa
reform of apartheid system
security and conflict in townships
electoralSystem whites-only parliamentary election under apartheid
excludedFromFranchise Black African majority
followedBy South African general election, 1994
historicalSignificance last whites-only parliamentary election in South Africa
marked beginning of the end of apartheid political order
leaderOfWinningParty F. W. de Klerk
ledTo formal negotiations with the African National Congress
negotiations to end minority rule
legalFramework South African Constitution of 1983
legislativeBodyElected House of Assembly of South Africa
House of Delegates of South Africa
House of Representatives of South Africa
location Republic of South Africa
mainGoverningPartyAfterElection National Party
mainGoverningPartyBeforeElection National Party
mainOppositionParty Conservative Party (South Africa)
Democratic Party (South Africa)
partOf apartheid era in South Africa
pavedWayFor Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA)
first non-racial democratic elections in 1994
interim Constitution of South Africa
precededBy South African general election, 1987
previousStatePresident P. W. Botha
primeMinisterAfterElection F. W. de Klerk
resultedIn renewed mandate for reform-oriented National Party leadership
statePresidentAfterElection F. W. de Klerk
tookPlaceIn Tricameral Parliament of South Africa
tookPlaceUnder apartheid system
turningPointIn transition from apartheid to democracy
typeOfFranchise racially segregated franchise
votingRestrictedTo Coloured population (House of Representatives)
Indian population (House of Delegates)
white population (House of Assembly)
wonBy National Party

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