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African countries, because ofpressure from their business communities, lifted sanctions
and re-established diplomatic ties with South Africa. Those countries that were visited
byMr De Klerk in May 1990 lifted their sanctions on travel to and investment in South
Africa. That caused some South African sportsmen to demand readmission into
international competitions, while some countries still adhered to international sanctions.
Late in 1990 Mr Mandela travelled to India, Japan and other Asian countries to seek
political and financial support, while Mr de Klerk went to the United States, Britain and
the Netherlands Mr De Klerk was seeking international approval for the legislative and
political changes that had already started, while Mr Mandela wanted things to go at a
faster pace and there were obviously still many hurdles to be overcome. In January
1992 the European Community lifted most trade and investment sanctions and three
months later the remaining restrictions on sporting, scientific and cultural links with
South Africa. On April 6, 1992, the European Community lifted the oil embargo. Late
in 1993 the United Nations General Assembly lifted the remaining sanctions
On June 5, 1991, the Land Act of 1913 (and 1936) and the Group Areas Act of
1950 were repealed. This legislation guaranteed equal rights to all races to own
property anywhere in the country; the conversion of 99-year leases by about 300,000
African households into full ownership, the setting of (racially non-discriminatory)
residency standards for their neighbourhoods by suburban residents of all races, the
authorisation of the establishment of new townships and the extension of services to
their residents, and the development offarmlands and rural communities. However, the
repayment of blacks who had previously been displaced from their lands was not
authorised; there would be a special court or commission established for that purpose.
On June 17,1991, the Population Registration Act of 1950 was repealed to high
acclaims, although there was still no equal treatment on voting, pensions, social
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