The New Dawn

FIRST TALKS WITH THE ANC

The meeting dealt with:

  • the release of ANC prisoners and indemnity for returning exiles;
  • amendments to security legislation and the state of emergency;
  • channels of communication; and
  • the establishment of a working group on political offences.

Nelson Mandela addressing the press during the Groote Schuur meetings

  • The ANC agreed to suspend its armed struggle.
  • The government agreed to consider lifting the state of emergency and to scrapping unacceptable provisions of revised security legislation.
  • Both sides expressed concern over escalating violence.

Negotiations during the DF Malan airport meeting

  • The ANC agreed to cease armed attacks and the infiltration of men and material.
  • The government agreed that the ANC’s armed wing was a legitimate organisation, and was entitled to keep its existing arms caches.
  • The security forces would cease all unauthorised activities against the ANC.