The president would then be free to be "mainly concerned with matters of general national interest and policy" and with matters such as population relations, macro-economic policy and the determination of financial priorities, security and foreign affairs, as well as ceremonial functions and functions which developed by convention".
Speaking during the debate on his vote in the House of Assembly, Botha also said serious consideration was being given to renaming the proposed National Council "The Great Indaba".
In a bid to bolster the government's flagging reform policies, Botha raised the possibility of elected regional bodies for black "own affairs", the appointment of black people to a revamped President's Council and black participation in the electoral college which elects the president. He was careful not to make specific constitutional proposals but outlined a broad framework.
Botha also said there was a need to involve the "independent homelands" on matters of common concern and held out the possibility of a constitutional arrangement along the lines of the European Parliament.
This article originally appeared in the Weekly Mail.
