The world was expecting Botha to announce major reforms in his government, including abolishing the apartheid system and the release of Nelson Mandela.
After a long period of isolation and strained diplomatic relations between South Africa and the international community, the National Party decided to hold a meeting to bring about reforms in the government.
Botha, whose fierce will had earned him the name "Die Groot Krokodil" (The Big Crocodile), simply refused and said he was not going to make that speech but was going to draft his own.
[3] Botha declared that he would not support majority rule or the participation of black South Africans in the national government, stating there were alternatives offered through the "devolution of power" on the local level, a reference to the bantustans.
The rand fell drastically against major currencies and the economy continued to shrink rapidly in growth until after the democratic handover of power a decade later.