SUPPORTING DEMOCRACY IN SOUTH AFRICA

”Whether in South Africa or America, we know there is no finish line to democracy’s work. Developing habits of tolerance and respect, creating opportunity for all our citizens, these efforts are never completely done. But let us savor the fact that South Africa now has the chance to begin that noble and vital work.”

President Clinton
Remarks Announcing Assistance to South Africa
May 5, 1994

After decades of injustice legitimized through the apartheid system, for the first time all South Africans went to the ballot box in April, l994 for the first fully participatory, non-racial elections. The elections, in which Nelson Mandela was elected President, were a peaceful, joyous, celebration of democracy that confounded cynics who predicted civil strife and disruption. The Clinton Administration is dedicated to supporting this dramatic transition to non-racial, multi-party democracy in South Africa.

A RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT:

• Actively supported the April 1994 election process through voter education efforts and training of local conflict mediators. The U.S. assisted in training new Parliamentarians and in reforming the justice system.

• Supported President Mandela’s efforts to nurture a “New Patriotism” for all South Africans and assisted in the integration of former “liberation armies” into the South African National Defense Force.

• Vice President Gore and South African Deputy President Thabo Mbeki launched the U.S.-South Africa Binational Commission to increase cooperation on business development, science and technology, human resources, agriculture, environment, and water and energy conservation.

• U.S. Commerce Department designated South Africa as one of the ten “Big Emerging Markets” globally, providing special opportunities for U.S. trade and investment. The late Secretary of Commerce Ronald H. Brown co-chaired the U.S.-South Africa Business Development Committee with then-Minister of Trade and Industry Trevor Manuel and led this Administration’s first Presidential Business Development Mission to South Africa in l993.

• Generated $218 million in housing guarantees.

• Launched the $200 million Southern African Enterprise Development Fund -- a venture capital fund aimed at Southern African companies in the entire southern Africa region.

• Initiated a three-year, $600 million assistance package to strengthen South African democratic and political institutions, improve education, health, and housing, and support private enterprise development

The Clinton Administration’s focus for South Africa is: strengthening democracy, extending our political ties and expanding economic relations. The Administration will continue coordinating efforts to increase U.S. trade and development with South Africa by:

• Remaining actively involved in the consolidation of democracy in South Africa.

• Supporting the growth of majority private sector businesses.

• Recognizing South Africa and President Mandela’s particular strengths in helping to solve regional problems.