Mandela and de Klerk Meet to End Black Township Violence

South African President Frederik de Klerk and African National Congress (ANC) President Nelson Mandela met to discuss ways to end the violence in black townships east of Johannesburg. The meeting came after Mandela warned that if de Klerk did not respond to specific proposals, South Africa would face a crisis. The two leaders, who shared the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to dismantle apartheid, aim to put an end to the violence that has left over 1,200 people dead since May.

Key Takeaways:

• Mandela warned de Klerk that South Africa would face a crisis if he did not respond to proposals to end the violence.
• The meeting was sparked by Sunday's gun attack on a senior ANC delegation, which left a journalist dead and several others wounded.
• The ongoing fighting is largely blamed on rivalry between the ANC and Zulu-dominated Inkatha Freedom Party.
• The ANC has accused white police of complicity in an attempt to destabilize the area and scare away potential ANC voters.
• De Klerk indicated that he would consider all options to end the violence.
• Mandela was expected to present specific proposals to de Klerk during the meeting.
• The ANC's leadership escaped unhurt in Sunday's attack.

Statistics:

• Over 1,200 people have died in the violence since May.
• Sunday's gun attack left a journalist dead and several others wounded.
• The ANC and Inkatha Freedom Party rivalry is blamed for the ongoing fighting.
• The ANC accuses white police of complicity in destabilizing the area.

Sources:

• Johannesburg: ANC President Mandela warns S. Africa crisis if no response to proposals on black township violence.
• Johannesburg: S. African leaders meet to seek ways to end black township violence.