Unit 3 1990: Release of Nelson Mandela and the unbanning of liberation movements - In the 1980s, trade unions and township and civic organisations continued to fight apartheid oppression. - MK and APLA continued to attack targets in the country. - The UDF was formed in 1983 and Cosatu in 1985 . - Internal resistance and external pressure to the apartheid government was increasing. - On 2 February 1990, President FW de Klerk unbanned the ANC, PAC and other organisations. - On 11 February 1990, Nelson Mandela walked free. - Negotiations between the government, the ANC and other parties towards a political settlement would last almost four years. - The period 1990 - 1994 was marked with terrible violence: ANC-IFP violence, the Boipatong and Bisho massacres, the assassination of Chris Hani, and right wing and Third Force violence. - The first democratic election on 27 April 1994 formally marked the end of apartheid. - On 10 May 1994, Nelson Mandela was sworn in as president. - The new Constitution was signed at Sharpeville in 1996.

Unit 3: 1990 - The Release of Nelson Mandela and the Unbanning of Liberation Movements The late 1980s in South Africa were characterized by a growing resistance to apartheid, marked by significant internal and external pressures on the apartheid government. Trade unions, township organizations, and civic groups played a crucial role in the struggle against oppression. The African National Congress (ANC) and the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) continued their armed struggle through military wings, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) and the Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA), respectively, targeting symbols of the apartheid regime. In response to the escalating resistance, the United Democratic Front (UDF) was established in 1983, followed by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in 1985. These organizations united various groups and individuals in the fight against apartheid, amplifying the call for change. On February 2, 1990, a pivotal moment occurred when President F.W. de Klerk announced the unbanning of the ANC, PAC, and other liberation movements, signaling a shift in the government's approach to the anti-apartheid struggle. Just days later, on February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years, a moment that symbolized hope and the possibility of a new South Africa. The subsequent years, however, were fraught with violence and tension as negotiations for a political settlement began. The period from 1990 to 1994 saw significant conflict, including violent clashes between the ANC and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the Boipatong and Bisho massacres, and the assassination of prominent anti-apartheid leader Chris Hani. Additionally, right-wing groups and elements of the security forces, often referred to as the "Third Force," contributed to the violence, complicating the transition to democracy. Despite these challenges, the first democratic elections were held on April 27, 1994, marking a historic turning point in South Africa's history and the formal end of apartheid. Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as president on May 10, 1994, embodying the aspirations of millions who had fought for freedom and equality. The new Constitution, which enshrined the rights of all South Africans, was signed in 1996 at Sharpeville, a site of historical significance in the struggle against apartheid. This Constitution laid the foundation for a democratic society committed to human rights, equality, and justice.