Differences in Opinion

• As negotiations took place, political and cultural differences between the two men did lead to clashes; despite the largely positive relationship between Mandela and de Klerk, they did not agree on all issues
• Tensions at the opening of the CODESA talks in December 1991, exposed the potential difficulties in the two men working together to establish a new, democratic South Africa
• De Klerk referred to being unable to trust the ANC as an ‘organisation which remains committed to an armed struggle’ whilst Mandela retorted that de Klerk was ‘head of an illegitimate, discredited minority’
• NP and ANC main negotiators, however: De Klerk still wanted a white veto, but Mandela argued a white veto would not end apartheid