It was in these emerging circumstances that Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Dr Beyers Naude came together to mobilise the Christian Institute and Inkatha to work for black political reconciliation. Inkatha had emerged with very explicit allegiance to the ANC, but the Christian Institute was at that stage politically non-aligned, although later in a statement to the United Nations Horst Kleinschmidt identified the Institute with the ANC.

It became clear to both Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Naude that the move towards black political unity would have to be driven by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Tambo and Biko and they decided to send emissaries abroad to make the necessary contacts with the ANC.