
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 27, 1990                   TAG: 9005290200
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: F-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

`POWER SHARING' IS RIGHT FOR SOUTH AFRICA

IN A RECENT speech to Parliament, President de Klerk finally shed some light upon the type of government and constitution capable of establishing a prosperous and democratic South Africa.

Wisely adopting the concept of "power sharing," as opposed to a simple "transfer of power," de Klerk underscored the need to avoid substituting the tyranny of the majority for the present minority government. Although he seeks full democratic participation by all South Africans as well as equal rights and privileges for all citizens, de Klerk recognizes that provisions have to be made to guarantee all parties against any one groups domination.

As citizens of the United States, we have grown accustomed to a well-developed system of checks and balances that prevents any single individual, race, or group from subjugating another. Most nations in Africa are not so fortunate, having been recently dominated by tribal governments, military regimes and one-party dictatorships.

If South Africa is to successfully evolve into a truly participatory democracy, it will have to adopt a constitution that provides protection for the nation's minorities while guaranteeing equal participation by all. Fortunately, this is exactly the solution that de Klerk offers.

\ MARTIN D. FISHER\ LYNCHBURG

by CNB