What was the "third force"? To what degree was a "third force" operating in the period 1990 – 1994?
             The period leading up to the first democratic elections of 1994 is often viewed as one of the most violent in South African history. Although many had attributed this violence to mere conflict between parties, a closer analysis suggests that there was a "third force" that played a major role in the hostility that existed at this time. This essay will attempt to define what this "third force" was, as well as illustrate to what degree the "third force" was operating in the four years leading up to the elections.
             When initially assessing causes for the increased violence building up to the elections historians suggested that "the violence in the country was essentially a symptom of rapid political change." The violence had been attributed to two main influences. The first was the opinion that the violence came about as a result of radical tactics by the youth of the ANC. However, others felt that it was a direct attack on the ANC and its allies. But aside from these two arguments evidence suggests that there was a "third force" that influenced this period of aggression and violence.
             A specific commission was set up in order to establish the roots and causes of this violence. "Goldstone Commission, so named after the judge who headed it, Justice Richard Goldstone, was established in 1990 with a clear mandate to determine the causes of the political violence that was ravaging the country during the negotiations over the transition to democracy." With its main focus being the issue of human rights and how they were being violated; the Goldstone Commission came up with a variety of evidence to suggest the presence of this "third force".
             It is important to consider the level of violence that is being experienced here and assess wh...