Sequel to Long Walk to Freedom - Revision 1 - Chapter 2 Page 4

Broadly speaking this meant that if, for example, the ANC won seventy five percent of the votes in a general election, and the National Party obtained only twenty five percent, the ANC would not be able to take any major decision without the consent of the National Party. Our delegation under the leadership of Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa uncompromisely rejected this fiction. Later President De Klerk and I exchanged views on the matter at the residence of Dr Bill Venter, then Chief of the industrial giant, Altron. Again I urged the President to drop the idea, pointing out that we wanted nothing less than a true democratic government as understood by the civilised world. I warned him that, trying to sell us another version of racial discrimination was unacceptable and, worst of all I said, that would irreparably damage his credibility. I added that our delegation at the Kempton Park negotiation centre, and other delegates were engaged in advanced discussions on the Government of National Unity, which was a far superior principle than either of his two proposals. We finally agreed that this would be one of the best instruments for uniting our people. The Government of National Unity would include all the parties that won five percent or more of the votes in an election. 17