About this site

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

31 Jul 1990: Chalmers, Judy

Click here for more information on the Interviewee

Click here for Overview of the year

The background to violence between the UDF and PAC, and UDF and AZAPO in Uitenhage in the mid 1980s is the emergence of Ama-Africa under the leadership of Timothy Youngkeis, which lasted until February 1990.  There is now a pact.

Since the unbanning ANC, UDF and ANC have not been working together.

There is a whole generation of uneducated, unemployable and unemployed workers.

In the townships around Port Elizabeth there continues to be a high level of distrust of the state but people do believe De Klerk is genuine.

Among white liberals there is relief and anxiety; the belief that now we can get on with it.  It was one man who did it, and remember he had to force PW Botha out.

Their anxiety: In Natal it is perceived as being the only place where the ANC is getting opposition. It looks like the ANC won't tolerate opposition and that what it is about is a one-party state.

White liberals don't believe the ANC has the wherewithal to run the country, so people are talking about leaving the country. People who have fought apartheid are afraid of the future, they are leaving the country. This is not the right wing. The right wing will stay and fight. The growth of the right wing is terrifying.

The violence in Natal will not be an obstacle to negotiations.

Whites believe that Mandela should meet with Buthelezi under any conditions. They don't understand UDF/ANC opposition to that happening.

The police are very problematic in the rural areas. They are using old laws to crack down. There are some problems in these areas between the right wing, the police and the Nats who are trying to follow De Klerk's line.

The CP will not win an election. There is little or no likelihood of a coup.

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. Return to theThis resource is hosted by the site.