| Part ofa series on the |
| Politics of South Africa |
|---|
 |
 South Africa portal |
Liberalism in South Africa has encompassed various traditions and parties.
Various South Africans have contributed prominently to liberalism in the country. Cape liberalism played a key role in the politics of theCape Colony, which enjoyed the non-racialCape Qualified Franchise.[1] From the foundation of theUnion of South Africa, liberal ideas played a key role in ensuring certain political freedoms – including of speech and political participation – forthe white population, whose own multiculturalism (particularlyAfrikaner-British parity) it had guaranteed. Another key facet of liberalism in South Africa was advocacy for the reform or total abolition ofapartheid. In the democratic era, liberalism lives on through the country'sconstitution, which features a far-reaching bill of rights, some separation of powers and checks and balances. It continues to be championed by some political parties, while the country's economic policy has features of liberalism despite being a mixed economy.
The moderateSouth African Party and its successor, theUnited Party, formed government several times between the formation of the Union and the election of theNational Party in 1948. In 1959, members of the United Party formed theProgressive Party, a precursor to the present-dayDemocratic Alliance. Separately, in 1953, theanti-Apartheid and multi-racialLiberal Party of South Africa was formed, before disbanding in 1968.
Following the 2024 general elections, the liberalDemocratic Alliance (DA) entered intoa coalition with theAfrican National Congress (ANC) and various other parties, breaking the ANC's dominance of national government since the end of apartheid.
On 4 January 1974,TransvaalUnited Party leaderHarry Schwarz met withMangosuthu Buthelezi and signed a five-point plan for racial peace in South Africa, which came to be known as theMahlabatini Declaration of Faith. Its purpose was to provide a blueprint for the government of South Africa by consent and racial peace in a multi-racial society, stressing opportunity for all, consultation, the federal concept, and abill of rights. It also affirmed that political change must take place though non-violent means, at a time when neither the National Party nor the African National Congress were looking to peaceful solutions or dialogue. The declaration enshrined the principles ofpeaceful transition of power and equality for all, the first of such agreements by acknowledged black and white political leaders in South Africa and was heralded by many as a breakthrough in race relations in South Africa. Liberal figures and others such asAlan Paton praised the declaration. The declaration drew much media interest both inside and outside South Africa. Schwarz, leader of the liberal 'Young Turks' in the UP, would be expelled with other liberals from the party the following year.
Political history ofSouth Africa | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defunctpolities |
| ||||||||||||
| Events |
| ||||||||||||
| Political culture | |||||||||||||
| Defunct organisations |
| ||||||||||||
| Histories of political parties | |||||||||||||
