• Country/entity

  South Africa
  

• Region

  Africa (excl MENA)
  

• Agreement name

  CODESA Declaration of Intent

• Date

  21 Dec 1991

• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed

• Interim arrangement

  Yes

• Agreement/conflict level

  Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Post Apartheid South Africa and Namibian Independence (1990 - 1994) )

• Stage

  Pre-negotiation/process

• Conflict nature

  Government

• Peace process

  South Africa peace process

• Parties

  SAG, CODESA (Democratic Party, Dikwankwetla Party, Inkatha Freedom Party, ANC, Bophuthatswana Govt, Inyandza National Movement, Intando Yesizwe Party, Labour Party of SA, Natal/Tvl Indian Congress, National Party, National People's Party, Solidarity, SA Communist Party, Transkei Govt, United People's Front, Venda Govt, Ximoko Progressive Party)

• Third parties

  -

• Description

  This short agreement outlines agreed principles for a future constitution as a result of the Convention for a Democratic South Africa. It provides for present and future participants to put forward democratic proposals, and that the Convention will establish a mechanism for co-operation of parties with administrations and the South African Government.

• Agreement document

  ZA_911229_CodesaDeclarationIntent.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

CODESA Declaration of Intent

20 December 1991

We, the duly authorised representatives of political parties, political organizations, administrations and the South African Government, coming together at this first meeting of the Convention for a Democratic South Africa, mindful of the awesome responsibility that rests on us at this moment in the history of our country, declare our solemn commitment:

to bring about an undivided South Africa with one nation sharing a common citizenship, patriotism and loyalty, pursuing amidst our diversity, freedom, equality and security for all irrespective of race, colour, sex or creed;

a country free from apartheid or any other form of discrimination or domination;

to work to heal the divisions of the past, to secure the advancement of all, and to establish a free and open society based on democratic values where the dignity, worth and rights of every South African are protected by law;

to strive to improve the quality of life of our people through policies that will promote economic growth and human development and ensure equal opportunities and social justice for all South Africans;

to create a climate conducive to peaceful constitutional change by eliminating violence, intimidation and destabilization and by promoting free political participation, discussion and debate;

to set in motion the process of drawing up and establishing a constitution that will ensure, inter alia:

that South Africa will be a united, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist state in which sovereign authority is exercised over the whole of its territory;

that the Constitution will be the supreme law and that it will be guarded over by an independent, non-racial and impartial judiciary;

that there will be a multi-party democracy with the right to form and join political parties and with regular elections on the basis of universal adult suffrage on a common voters roll;

in general the basic electoral system shall be that of proportional representation;

that there shall be a separation of powers between the legislature, executive and judiciary with appropriate checks and balances;

that the diversity of languages, cultures and religions of the people of South Africa shall be acknowledged;

that all shall enjoy universally accepted human rights, freedoms and civil liberties including freedom of religion, speech and assembly protected by an entrenched and justiciable Bill of Rights and a legal system that guarantees

We agree:

that the present and future participants shall be entitled to put forward freely to the Convention any proposal consistent with democracy.

that CODESA will establish a mechanism whose task it will be, inco-operation with administrations and the South African Government, to draft the texts of all legislation required to give effect to the agreements reached in CODESA.

We, the representatives of political parties, political organizations and administrations, further solemnly commit ourselves to be bound by the agreements of CODESA and in good faith to take all such steps as are within our power and authority to realise their implementation.

Signed by

Ciskei Government

Democratic Party

Dikwankwetla Party

Inkatha Freedom Party

African National Congress

Bophuthatswana Government

Inyandza National Movement

Intando Yesizwe Party

Labour Party of South Africa

Natal/Tvl Indian Congress

National Party

National People's Party

Solidarity

South African Communist Party

Transkei Government

United People's FrontVenda Government

Ximoko Progressive Party

We, the South African Government, declare ourselves to be bound by agreements we reach together with other participants in CODESA in accordance with the standing rules and hereby commit ourselves to the Implementation thereof within our capacity, powers and authority.

Signed by South African Government'

Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika.

Ons vir jou Suid Afrika.

Morena boloka sechaba sa heso.

May the Lord bless our country.

Mudzimu Fhatutshedza Afrika.

Hosi katekisa Afrika.