History of the ACDP

Our History

The need for a credible alternative to the divisive politics of the past, prompted Christians from diverse backgrounds to launch a new political party in December 1993 and so the African Christian Democratic Party was established exactly a hundred days prior to South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994.

With the concept of multi party democracy in the air, Christians from all over the Republic recognised the need for a party that would not only represent Bible believing Christians, but also those who have a high regard for moral values.

The ACDP has taken as its platform the biblical standard of reconciliation, justice, compassion, tolerance, peace and the sanctity of life, the individual, the family and community. It proposes to direct the political debate towards these issues and to unite people around the common values, instead of focusing on ideological, historical and racial differences.

During that first election in 1994, the ACDP surprised many people by securing 2 seats in National Government and 3 in Provincial Government.

Being the smallest of the seven parties then in National Government, the ACDP was the ONLY party to vote against the adoption of the South African Constitution.

A year later, the ACDP took part in the Local Government Elections in only a few of the municipalities. The party only won 3 seats. However during the next 5 years, 4 councillors from other political parties crossed the floor to join the ACDP.

In 1999 many critics believed that the ACDP would lose one of the two seats it had in National Parliament. To the contrary, the ACDP trippled it's representation and became the 5th largest party in parliament with 7 parliamentarians. For the fist time the Party won a seat on the National Council of Provinces. Provincially the Party added another representative to now have members in 4 different legislatures.

The greatest growth that the ACDP has ever experienced was during the 2000 Local Government Elections. With an increase from 7 councillors to more than 70 nationally, the ACDP proved once again that it is here to stay. In two of the five Metro's the ACDP is the third largest party, and in the Venda local council the ACDP is the official opposition.

ACDP slogans:
1994 General Election: "Protect your family's future"
1995 Local Government Election: "Protect your family's future"
1999 General Election: "Bringing order to the Nation"
2000 Local Government Election: "Real Hope, Real Care" 2004 General Election: "Real Hope for the Nation"