Demonstrator, The Inkatha Conundrum

Demonstrators promoting democracy at a rally. It was at the time common to carry sticks and knives as symbols. Throughout history, many have sought to violence in order to achieve peace. The Nelson Mandela Foundation does not support any form of violence. The Nelson Mandela Foundation aims to promote peace, well-being and democracy for all.

Just 13 days after he was released from prison, Nelson Mandela addressed over 100 000 people in Durban. He urged an end to the factional warfare in which more than 2 500 people had died over a five-year period. While the state of emergency was lifted in three provinces in June 1990, Natal remained under siege. A campaign of mass action started on 2 July 1990 to pressure the government to end the violence in the province. “The apartheid state and Inkatha have access to armies, police forces, and unlimited access to weapons. We have the support of the people, and the people’s strongest weapon is mass action,” the ANC said. 

Two weeks later, Buthelezi announced Inkatha was to transform into a multiracial political party. By August 1990, the violence had spread to Witwatersrand. Over 500 died in 11 days of fighting as Zulu migrant workers, armed with axes and spears, went on the attack.

Mandela and De Klerk held emergency talks, and a state of emergency was declared. The ANC and IFP discussed ways of ending the violence.

In April 1991, the parties adopted a five-year plan to end violence between their supporters. However, all hell broke loose in July 1991 after newspapers claimed Buthelezi had a secret bank account into which the Security Branch had been making payments, and that security forces were funding and running a trade union linked to Inkatha. The scandal was dubbed ‘Inkathagate’, and the government admitted culpability.