MARCH 21, 1993
...The observance of this day provides us with yet another opportunity to express our determination that racial discrimination in its most abhorrent institutionalized manifestation - apartheid - be finally and completely eradicated. For decades, the black majority of the people of South Africa have lived under the oppressive and discriminatory conditions of apartheid. The doctrine of separateness has not only bitterly divided the nation, but also resulted in glaring disparities in the socio-economic situation.
The mass poverty among the black population is perhaps the most striking feature of the South African society. It is estimated that 17.5 million people (roughly half of the entire population) live in households with incomes below the minimum living level. Another seven million black people live in shacks. Forty-five per cent of the entire black population has not been taught to read or write. Employment is a critical issue too. There are between four and six million unemployed, most of them in their economically productive years.
The tremendous disparities in the socio-economic sectors are a daily reminder that the past suffering and deprivation continue to be part of the present. We realize that the dismantling of a system which has been so deeply embedded in the state structure and society will be a very difficult task. It will be many years before the scars and legacy of apartheid will begin to fade. Despite these obvious difficulties, we must make some beginning, no matter how modest.
But today we are heartened to see that South Africa has begun the necessary march along that difficult road of breaking away from the clutches of racism and moving towards a non-racial, just and democratic society.
Recently, a delegation of the Special Committee against Apartheid, including myself, returned from a mission to South Africa. The mission successfully established contacts and held broad-based consultations with high-ranking representatives of all major parties involved in the ongoing political process. While the delegation took the opportunity of this historic visit to make an on-the-spot assessment of the political process now under way in the country, it engaged in an open and frank manner with all the leaders and people as well as institutions and organizations met, discussions on the present situation in the country.
The most important conclusion the delegation drew from the visit is that all parties in the country have finally realized and accepted that there is no alternative to negotiations and that any delay in bringing about a political settlement could be disastrous for the entire country. All the parties are willing to talk and what is more encouraging, willing to implement an agreement that would be reached. There is also an understanding among major political players that reconciliation and peaceful transition in South Africa may require the establishment of a government of national unity lasting for several years.
The series of bilateral meetings between the South African government and leaders of liberation movements and other political parties, as well as the multi-party planning conference, have created substantial ground for resumption within two weeks from now of multi-party negotiations. These negotiations would hopefully bring all parties to agree on transitional arrangements leading to the first-ever democratic elections in South Africa.
While recent developments in South Africa inspire optimism, we all know only too well how many times high hopes had been replaced with disappointment. The situation in South Africa remains complex and fragile. There are still wide political differences among parties. Perhaps one should not be too surprised that they tend to seek to shape a post-apartheid settlement to their own benefit. It is also to be expected that smaller political parties will be afraid of being excluded when the major players reach an understanding. However, a peaceful transition will require political will among all the leadership involved in the negotiations to find as inclusive a solution as possible.
Unfortunately, the violence continues to be a powerful destabilizing factor in South Africa and easily lends itself to those who are being used by anti-democratic forces bent on derailing the peaceful process. Only an early political solution will create the conditions necessary for eradicating or reducing the level of violence and of a climate for domestic peace.
We trust that with the wise and dedicated effort of all political leaders of that country, and the active support of the international community, South Africans will be able to overcome the last obstacles that stand in the way of negotiations towards the adoption of a non-racial and democratic constitution.
It is of utmost importance that following or in tandem with political settlement a new approach be devised by the United Nations with a view towards helping South Africans to eliminate the socio-economic legacies of apartheid. As we clearly understood in South Africa during our mission, the achievement of that goal will require enormous efforts of the South African society as well as significant input of resources from the international community.
We in the Special Committee against Apartheid are heartened by the prospect of the end of the system of apartheid in South Africa. We are proud that our Committee, which over the years played a leading role in mobilizing international opinion against apartheid, has also been able to contribute to positive changes in South Africa.