The structuring of political change in South Africa

Abstract

Change to the notion of change is essential if South Africa is to overcome its problems of accommodation and moral legitimacy. A fundamental area in which such change should occur, is the institutional framework of government. The structuring of institutional change should however not ignore the contextual basis of pluralism from which institutions are derived, and for which they are intended. In this article the author argues that the Westminster type of government obtaining in South Africa can serve as a point of departure for adaptation and innovation in order to accommodate the White, Indian and Coloured population groups. Complete integration of all three groups, or separate homelands for Indians and Coloureds, do not offer viable alternatives for South Africa. Instead, a decentralised system of differentiated political control wherein federal methods are employed in a unitary state, will assure the greatest amount of local autonomy and group identity. It is however essential that authority on local and group matters should have a territorial basis.