The peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy in South Africa is one of the great success stories of twentieth century politics. It has been dramatically and movingly reaffirmed by the enthusiastic turnout in yesterday's general elections, as many polling stations were kept open to cater for long queues of voters last night. Irrespective of the precise results, this second democratic election is a landmark in South Africa's political development. It is also full of significance for other recent peace processes around the world, of which the South Africa's has been the most far-reaching, the most successful and the one from which others have the most to learn.
Inevitably the election campaign has been compared unfavourably with that in 1994, which ushered in the first post-apartheid power-sharing government in a wave of democratic euphoria. The issues now under discussion are undoubtedly more prosaic and less heroic than then, but nonetheless just as pressing for the country's future, especially in the sphere of economic development. All told, the Government of National Unity formed after the 1994 election between the African National Congress (which secured 63 per cent of the vote), and the minority National Party and Inkatha Freedom Party fulfilled its goal of consolidating the new state's legitimacy and authority.
This was helped immeasurably by President Nelson Mandela's generous approach to reconciliation with the white population as well as by his concern for the black majority's liberation from oppression. The fact that the power-sharing government did not last the full five year term is less important than that it was successfully installed. In this election a central issue has been the expected halving of the National Party's vote and competition between it and the emergent Democratic Party for white and Cape Coloured support. Compared to that realignment the ANC's internal coalition with the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has held together remarkably well, and may even be rewarded with an increased majority when the full results are in. The ANC's programmatic commitment to national liberation remains politically plausible for as long as it takes to rid South Africa of the racism inherited from apartheid; in the meantime the SACP and Cosatu have benefited from their alliance with the ruling party. President Mandela's successor, Mr Thabo Mbeki, will have to fashion a new political agenda with these allies after this election, which puts him squarely in the driving seat. The great problem he inherits is how to shape the South African economy in such a way as to optimise resources for redistribution to tackle the continuing delivery of basic needs for the black population.
This needs at least twice as much economic growth as has been achieved in the last five years. If it is to happen Mr Mbeki will have to attract more international investment and address the industrial relations restrictions which many economic advisors say is inhibiting foreign capital from coming to South Africa. That means a confrontation with his allies in the ANC. Mr Mbeki is a seasoned and canny politician with a ruthless streak. He has given ample warning of pursuing such new priorities as a means of delivering on the ANC's commitment to transform South African society. The mandate achieved in this election should enable him and his government to do so effectively.