The National Party/New National Party (NP/NNP)
If you went to the NNP (New National Party) parking lot tomorrow you would see a mile long line of bumper stickers proudly proclaiming, “I am not a racist.” In fact, just three months ago at an NNP rally the band struck up “O tla utlwa bo tsotsi ba re, a yeng ko Meadowlands,” an African folk song composed in protest to the brutally racist policies of the old NP (National Party). bhz 1 The current is desperately seeking to save themselves from being washed down the political drain in vengeance for their past policies. The NP originated at the turn of the century as a Afrikaner nationalist group. Their primary objective was a racially constituted resistance to British imperial rule. Through their hatred of the British the NP developed a racial supremacy platform that began to have real consequences when the most conservative wing of the party snuck into power in 1948 election under Daniel Malan. Their scathing racism combined with the threat of the moderate side of the party uniting with the black population to unseat the NP led to the creation of the notorious apartheid policy that dominated South African politics until 1989 when F.W de Klerk implemented a five-year plan to phase out Apartheid in 1994.bhz 2
The gradual disintegration of the NP is intrinsic in understanding the troubles facing today’s party. The support for apartheid began to erode as violence and protest in the black population (75% of the country’s population) increased. The as the generation of Afrikaner youth who were enlisted in the military that put down black revolts grew up and entered the political class, a sense of guilt began to form in the left of the NP. This combined with growing problems in the South African economy caused by Apartheid policies affect on both internal and foreign trade to initiate divides in the NP. A number of key figures left the party. The president P W Botha hardened on the right while the Transvaal leader of the NP, F W de Klerk began to drift left with a substantial coalition of reformists. bhz 3 In 1989 Botha has a stroke and de Klerk temporarily took power. In his time in office he initiated a five-year plan to phase out Apartheid and by the time Botha was fit to retake office the gears were turning he was forced to resign. bhz 2
The present NNP is struggling to deal with the consequences of this history. Since they committed to dismantling the Apartheid system that they designed and executed they have been trying to construct an identity based around their role in that deconstruction and distancing themselves from its creation. After gaining only about percent 20% of the vote in 1994 the NP was dissolved and the New NNP was created. This move didn’t seem to fool anyone as their returns dropped again to 7%. bhz 4 They fell under their white rival part the DP (Democratic Party), slipping to the fourth most powerful party. bhz 5 As rumors circulated of the total collapse of the party they made some major moves toward the center-left, fostering relations with nation largest party and their former rivals the ANC. bhz 1 The party recently officially entered into a coalition with the ANC to save its political skin from falling into obscurity. The NNP is hoping the move will allow it to become a haven for Afrikaners who support the majority mainstream government. bhz 6 The DP is increasingly taking over the role of the white dissent in the South African political spectrum.
The NNP’s non-racially related platform is a right wing, Christian, neoliberal party. Their moral rhetoric is littered with religious justification that are still left over from the party’s older more conservative format. Economically, they are strong supporters of internationalism and free trade (part of the motivation for ending Apartheid). Their slogan is “Let’s get South Africa Working,” a clear nod toward the wished of big business and free trade. Their position on the land reform issue also panders toward a big business perspective of undermining agriculture and self-sufficiency in favor of growth and development. The NNP’s party leader is Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, one the instrumental players in the dismantling of Apartheid. As with most of the NNP’s moves, his leadership is supposed to be emblematic of the party’s new tolerant attitude. bhz 6
1 NNP Savors Political Resurrection. Business Day (South Africa). November 12, 2002. Lexis Nexis
2 Library of Congress (South Africa) http://lcweb2.loc.gov
3 White Tribes Divided. Financial Times. April 2, 1986. Lexis Nexis
4 Political Science Page (South Africa) http://www.polisci.com/almanac/nations/nation/SF.htm .
5 BBC South African Election Page http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/special_report/1999/05/99/south_africa_elections/map/national_party.stm.
6 NNP Web Site www.natweb.co.za