CODESA formed part of a multi-party negotiating process to end apartheid in South Africa and establish a transitional government and constitution. During the Preparatory Meeting between 29 and 30 November 1991, it was decided that the process would be convened under the title Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA).

During 1991 and 1992 CODESA convened two plenary sessions, CODESA 1 and CODESA 2.  Agreements which had been negotiated during task and working group discussions were then debated and ratified by the plenaries as the broader representative body.

Negotiations reached a deadlock during CODESA 2 and were suspended. Materials produced after CODESA 2 are referred to as Post-CODESA 2.

During the Preparatory Meeting, three task groups were created to facilitate planning and formulate an agenda and aims. During the first plenary session of CODESA 1, five working groups were established, each with their own terms of reference and specific tasks related to the agenda and aims of CODESA. 

Between plenary sessions, the working groups met and negotiated frequently. During the second plenary session, working groups delivered their reports on their recommendations and agreements. 

A lack of consensus during CODESA 2,  centred on two major issues - interim government and constitutional principles - this resulted in a deadlock and formal meetings and negotiations were suspended by the end of June 1992. 

The series CODESA 1 contains all meetings preparatory to CODESA 1 ( 20 to 21 December 1991) and the associated plenary documents.

The series CODESA 2 contains all meetings post CODESA 1 and preparatory to CODESA 2 (15 to 16 May 1992) and the associated plenary documents.

The series Post CODESA 2 contains all materials created between 17 May 1992 and June 1992.

The series Annexure A: Various CODESA Records contains transcripts of plenary proceedings, terms of reference for working groups, and ephemera from CODESA plenaries.

This collection was created and structured by Edward Shalala with an eye towards it being a critical resource for future research and a tangible record of South Africa's constitutional heritage. 

The collection provides insights into structures, processes and work subordinate to and in co-ordination with Edward Shalala within the Constitutional Assembly. Key critical decision documents and reports of the Community Liaison Department (CLD) and Public Participation Programme (PPP) can be found here. 

The collection is composed of materials gathered by Edward Shalala during his time as the head of the Constitutional Assembly CLD from September 1994 to May 1996. The CLD was one of three major arms of the PPP, the other two being the Media Department, and invitations for submissions from the public.

The collection was supplemented and used by Synnøve Skjelten in writing her book: A People's Constitution: Public Participation in the South African Constitution-making Process.

The series Synnøve Skjelten Research contains Synnøve Skjelten’s thesis and research material. Some primary source research material from the Constitutional Assembly (1994 to 1996) is stored alongside Skjelten's thesis (1999-2006).  

The series Constitutional Assembly contains some general documents from the Constitutional Assembly with the majority dealing with CLD and PPP. The series is composed of reports, documents, newsletter and promotional ephemera such as t-shirts and stickers.

The series Miscellaneous contains material in three groups covering the 1994 election process, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa, and a portable exhibition on the life of Nelson Mandela.