The struggle for the reincorporation of the Bophuthatswana bantustan has intensified since the unbanning of the ANC in February, and by November the authorities were forced to hold talks with the ANC.
Bantustan leaders came under increasing pressure during the year to join forces with the ANC, which enjoys demonstrable mass support in both the 'independent' and 'self-governing' bantustans. With the leaders of Transkei, Venda and Ciskei having declared publicly their support for a re-united South Africa, Lucas Mangope in Bophuthatswana became increasingly isolated as the sole bantustan leader determined to cling on to the status of nominal 'independence'.
Pressure on the bantustan authorities has mounted. In October opposition groups launched a million-signature campaign demanding a referendum on the issue of reincorporation. A march to consolidate the campaign was prevented by bantustan police, who mounted roadblocks to head it off, but the petition was put into circulation. It was addressed to De Klerk and outlined the demands of bantustan residents.
Since August the ANC has been establishing branches in the bantustan and recruiting new members, including more than 120 ex-soldiers who were imprisoned after the failed mutiny in 1988, and who are demanding to be recognised as having political prisoner status in terms of the Pretoria Minute.
The authorities continued to detain ANC members and trade unionists, and to dismiss public servants associated with opposition to the bantustan. Under the bantustan's Security Clearance Act a public servant can be summarily dismissed, 'in the interests of public safety, national security and the maintenance of law and order'. At least eight employees were dismissed under this provision during the anti-bantustan protests in October and November. These included five University of Bophuthatswana staff members who are also members of the executive committee of a local ANC branch, and three hospital workers, also dismissed for their political affiliation.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has maintained a strong presence in the bantustan, reaffirming the ANC's call for the release of prisoners and an end to repression. COSATU has also demanded that the bantustan authorities repeal the Bophuthatswana Industrial Conciliation Act which bans 'foreign' trade unions — that is, those based outside the bantustan boundaries — from registering and operating within the bantustan, so effectively outlawing COSATU.
Mass action culminated on 12 November in a one-day strike and the launch of a business boycott in the region of the bantustan near Pretoria. It was observed by thousands of workers. The strike was jointly organised by COSATU, the South African Communist Party, the Anti-Bophuthatswana Co-ordinating Committee and the ANC, in support of the demand for re-incorporation and in protest at repression.
Although the bantustan authorities justified the detention of nearly 50 people and police raids as pre-emptive measures against an alleged 'coup plot' by the ANC, they were seen as part of their efforts to suppress every visible challenge. Other measures included refusal to grant permission for public meetings and the breaking up of meetings which did take place. Residents were interrogated and their homes searched and roadblocks were set up.
The bantustan authorities finally agreed to talks in Pretoria with an ANC delegation, which were held on 18 November. Shortly afterwards it was reported that all the detainees in Bophuthatswana had been released. It was announced after the meeting that the bantustan authorities might consider a referendum on reincorporation and participation in negotiations, and that the ANC had agreed in principle to a meeting requested by the bantustan leader Lucas Mangope with ANC Deputy President Nelson Mandela, in order to address the central issues of incorporation and democratic freedoms. A second meeting took place on 28 November.
Later however, at an occasion marking the thirteenth anniversary of the bantustan's 'independence', Mangope said that a decision about reincorporation, possibly involving a referendum, would only be considered when it was clear what the negotiations process might produce. He made it clear that he wished the bantustan to be 'represented and protected at the negotiations.'
