S. Africa Panel Proposes Black Vote, White Rights

A parliamentary advisory body on Wednesday recommended a constitution for South Africa that would extend voting rights to the black majority but protect the political rights of whites.

President Frederik W. de Klerk’s government has yet to put forth a formal constitutional proposal. The plan recommended Wednesday loosely resembles other blueprints under consideration.

These blueprints are likely to provide the guidelines for the government as it enters into constitutional negotiations with the African National Congress and other opposition groups, black and white, perhaps early next year.

Wednesday’s proposal, which is not binding on the government, emerged from the constitutional committee of the President’s Council. This is an advisory commission in which all the parties in the racially segregated Parliament are represented but which is controlled by De Klerk’s National Party.

The proposal calls for a two-chamber Parliament, with one house elected on the basis of proportional representation to satisfy black demands for one person, one vote, and the other elected on racial or regional lines. It also recommends a bill of rights.

The council report, issued by Chairman Willie van Niekerk, warns that the success of a new political system in South Africa will depend on the protection of whites, who are outnumbered 5 to 1 by blacks.

The ANC, which many analysts believe would win a popular election in South Africa, has strongly opposed enshrining minority rights in any future constitution. It argues that a bill of rights, enforced by a strong judiciary, would provide ample protection for minorities.

“What we see being floated by the government shows they’ve still got a long way to go to reach any acceptable democratic position,” Albie Sachs, a member of the African National Congress’ constitutional committee, said in an interview Wednesday. “They don’t want power sharing, they want power division, so they can hold on to power in crucial areas.”

The President’s Council proposal resembles a blueprint suggested recently by the Broederbond (Brotherhood), the secret Afrikaner society that has helped draw up much of the government’s reform program.

De Klerk has said he supports a constitution that contains checks and balances to prevent the 27 million blacks from dominating the 5 million whites.