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South Africa: Competing Images of the Post-Apartheid State

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 May 2014

Extract

Liberation is not necessarily at hand in South Africa. The government still has the means to, and to all appearances still intends to, enforce apartheid. Yet, the process of change has become so great that many have begun to consider questions related to the nature of the post-apartheid state. The purpose of this paper, then, is to capture at a point in time the two primary competing images of what shape that state will be.

First, there are those who support a federal state and capitalism. This position is represented, in one form or another, by the so-called left wing of the Nationalist Party (NP), the opposition Progressive Federal Party (PFP), and the country's major business interests. Various so-called homeland leaders, most respectably Phatudi (who recently died) of Lebowa and Buthelezi of Kwazulu, have also spoken in support of federalism. But one is inclined to believe that their opinion will prove of little account. In order to portray the capitalist and federalist image there is reference to Lijphart (1985); the views of the PFP which both represent those of the country's major business interests and often precede policy shifts of the NP: and a recent federal blueprint suggested by members of the left wing of the NP, Lombard and Du Pisanie (1985).

Next, there are those who support a unitary state and economic arrangements which range from a mixed economy to socialism. While one might include here the Azanian People's Organization and the Azanian Congress of Trade Unions, they are generally held to be eclipsed by the African National Congress (ANC) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 1988

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