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Mandela alleges white 'conspiracy'

In his farewell speech as leader of the ruling African National Congress, at its 50th national conference, Mr Mandela said the displacement of the apartheid regime by a democratic system "has become an established fact of the South African society."

But he said it had been "demonstrated consistently" that whites were trying to cling on to the privileges they enjoyed under apartheid.

Mr Mandela said the mainly white political parties had been "most vigorous in their opposition" to legislative and executive measures to end the racial imbalance in South African society.

He said whenever the ANC had raised the issue of affirmative action the "spokespersons of the advantaged have not hesitated to cry foul, citing all manner of evil, such as racism, violation of the constitution, nepotism, dictatorship, inducing a brain drain and frightening the foreign investor."

Mr Mandela said since the ANC came to power in 1994 there had been no "open and serious counter-revolutionary offensive which sought to reverse this historic victory of our national liberation struggle".

But he warned a counter-revolutionary force had been trying to "compromise the democratic system at whatever moment it considered opportune."

He said the opponents of change had not raised their "ugly head" because their wealth was not under serious threat yet.

But he added: "Various elements of the former ruling group have been working to establish a network which would launch or intensify a campaign of destabilisation."

Mr Mandela seemed to blame supporters of the old apartheid regime for South Africa's crime wave and claimed they were also trying to subvert the economy.

He said there were many in South Africa who had not accepted the reality of majority rule and were trying to disrupt it.

Mr Mandela said these elements encouraged and committed crime, stole state arms and ammunition, hid sensitive and important information from legal organs of the state and had begun building alternative structures, including intelligence machinery and armed formations.

Although he did not name names he also hinted at former President P W Botha's failure to attend the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings.

Mr Botha has refused to appear and could face jail or a fine for contempt.

The 79-year-old president said: "Evidence also exists that elements of this counter-revolutionary conpiracy have established or are maintaining a variety of international contacts."

Earlier, in more conciliatory mood, Mr Mandela was applauded when he called on his supporters to "show their indebtedness" to Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party.

Hundreds of ANC and Inkatha supporters have been killed in the last 10 years in bitter disputes in the black townships of Kwa Zulu-Natal.

Chief Buthelezi, who staunchly opposed economic sanctions against South Africa during the apartheid regime, was accused by many in the ANC of being a "stooge" but Mr Mandela showed again he is not one to bear grudges.

On Monday he said he would warmly welcome a merger between the ANC and Inkatha.

He said despite the conflict between the two parties over the last decade they had much in common.

Mr Mandela is standing down as party leader, although he will continue as President of the country until the elections in 1999.

He has endorsed the current deputy leader, Thabo Mbeki, as his successor, describing him as a man of "exceptional quality".

The ANC will choose a new President later this week and there is little doubt Mr Mbeki will succeed.

Relevant Stories

Harsh words from President Mandela (16 Dec 97 | Despatches)
Thabo Mbeki: the new President of the ANC (15 Dec 97 | World)
Winnie Mandela and the new South Africa (10 Dec 97 | World)
P W Botha in battle of wills with Truth Commission (05 Dec 97 | World)
P W Botha defies Truth Commission (05 Dec 97 | World)
Winnie says evidence against her is 'ludicrous' (04 Dec 97 | World)

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