came into
force in 1984. The new Parliament consisted of three uniracial chambers: a
House of Assembly, comprising
178 white people eleeted by Whites; a
House of Representatives of 85 Coloureds eleeted by Coloureds;
and a
House of Delegates of 45 Indians elected by Indians. Accordingly, when
joint sessions were held Whites held a distinct majority. A multiracial
cabinet drawn from the three chambers became responsible for "general
affairs," such as taxation,
foreign affairs, defense, state security, law and
order, commerce and industry, and African affairs. Uniracial ministers'
councils became responsible for "own affairs," such as education, health,
and local government. The State President, elected by a college of 50 White,
25 Coloured, and 13 Indian members of Parliament, appointed the mem-
bers of the cabinet and the ministers' councils. He could dissolve Parlia-
ment at any time. He was empowered to decide which were "general" and
which were "own" affairs, and he was responsible for "the control and
administration
of black [that is, African] affairs."t1
For the first time, the Nationalist government had addressed the ques-
tion of power by including Blacks in the political process. But the new
constitution
was inadequate
on three counts. First, the primary official