Die rol van Alwyn Schlebusch in die totstandkoming van die nuwe politieke bedeling, 1978-1983

Abstract

The failure of apartheid as National Party policy to solve the racial problems facing South Africa, saw the implementation of exciting new ideas within the Party in addressing these problems in the late 1970s.
During the period from 1978 to 1983, being part of the so-called PW Botha-era, many political changes occured in order to establish a new political dispensation acceptable to all South Africans involved. The active participation of Alwyn Schlebusch in the establishment of this new dispensation can be traced throughout this period. His assistance in Botha's coming to power, his chairing of certain committees, com.missions and councils as well as his inspiring speeches regarding political reform boosted the National Party in its initiatives.
The reform initiatives of the National Party led to rapid changes within the white political structure in South Africa. Certain adaptions to the constitution led to the abolishment of the senate, the introduction of the President's Council and the unique appointment of a deputy state president, a post awarded to Schlebusch. The biggest split within the National Party since 1948, the forming of the Conservative Party as a result thereof and the first federal congress of the National Party since 1%1, also materialised during this struggle for a new political dispensation.
All these changes were initiated by the National Party's enthusiasm in solving the country's racial problems. The establishment of this new political dispensation did not solve the problem as a whole, but the period 1978-1983 forms an integral part of political reform in its entirety in attending to this crucial problem. In the build-up to the new political dispensation Alwyn Schlebusch used his authority to build important relationships in order to find a suitable solution to this lingering problem facing South Africa.