World : S. Africa Election Called for Sept. 6
President Pieter W. Botha announced today that a general election will be held in South Africa Sept. 6 for all three chambers of the racially segregated Parliament.
The republic has separate houses for white, Colored--the designation for people of mixed race--and Indian delegates. The black majority has no vote under South Africa’s apartheid constitution.
The election is almost certain to mark the end of Botha’s political career. He resigned as leader of the ruling National Party after a stroke in January. The party has said it intends to give Education Minister F. W. de Klerk the presidential mandate if it wins the election.
A power struggle between Botha and De Klerk was defused last month when senior party members threw their weight behind De Klerk, shunning the autocratic 73-year-old president who was thought to be out of touch with the party mood.
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