“This is where we stand: Deeply under the impression of our responsibility. Humble in the face of the tremendous challenges ahead. Determined to move forward in faith and with conviction.“
FW de Klerk
The Legacy of FW de Klerk
FW de Klerk became acting State President of South Africa on 15 August 1989 after the resignation of his predecessor, President PW Botha. He served as State President from his inauguration on 20 September 1989 until the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela on 10 May 1994.
Notable Presidency Achievements:
FW de Klerk became acting State President of South Africa on 15 August 1989 after the resignation of his predecessor, President PW Botha. He served as State President from his inauguration on 20 September 1989 until the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela on 10 May 1994.
His presidency was notable, primarily, for the following achievements:
The constitutional transformation of South Africa
FW de Klerk dedicated his presidency to the negotiation of a new non-racial and inclusive constitutional democracy. The negotiations, under his presidency, commenced with his speech of 2 February 1990 and culminated with the adoption of the 1993 constitution on 22 December 1993 and the election of 27 April 1994.
The abolition of apartheid
On 17 June, 1991, President De Klerk announced the repeal of the last apartheid laws, completing the process that had been initiated during the presidency of PW Botha.
The dismantling of South Africa’s nuclear weapons
EXTRACT FROM SPEECH BY THE STATE PRESIDENT,
MR F W DE KLERK, TO A JOINT SESSION OF PARLIAMENT, 24 MARCH 1993
Mr Speaker, when I decided last week to call a joint session, it was my intention to concentrate on the announcement to Parliament of important information with regard to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and related matters. Since then certain developments have compelled me to cover a wider area. I am, however, still commencing with announcements relating to South Africa’s nuclear capability.
The Nobel Peace Prize
The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to President FW de Klerk and Nelson Mandela, then President of the African National Congress, on 10 December 1993 in Oslo.
Deputy Presidency and the Government of National Unity
On 10 May 1994 FW de Klerk was inaugurated as one of two Executive Deputy Presidents in the Government of National Unity because his party – the National Party – had secured the support of more than 20% of voters. This also entitled the National Party to appoint six cabinet ministers in the 27-person cabinet – as well as three deputy ministers.
Initially, Deputy-President FW de Klerk and his NP colleagues were able to make a positive contribution to the running of the GNU. However, by mid-1995 relationships between the NP and ANC partners had begun to unravel. On a number of occasions President Mandela launched bitter attacks on his NP deputy in the cabinet. FW de Klerk was, in turn, deeply disappointed when President Mandela did not accept his modest request regarding more balanced representation in the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He expressed his misgivings about the GNU in a speech in September 1995.
The final straw came in May, 1996, when the ANC refused to accept the NP’s modest proposals for continued power-sharing in the 1996 constitution. FW de Klerk announced on 8 May 1996 that the NP had decided to support the 1996 constitution – despite reservations. The next day, the NP announced that it would withdraw from the GNU at the end of June, 1996.
FW continued to serve as Leader of the Official Opposition until his final retirement from party politics on 9 September 1997.
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BOOKS BY FW DE KLERK
“The Last Trek – A New Beginning”
FW de Klerk’s autobiography – published by Macmillan, London, in 1999 and by Human & Rousseau, the same year in Afrikaans. The latest paperback edition of the book is available at the FW de Klerk Foundation.
The latest paperback edition of the book is available at the FW de Klerk Foundation.
“Letters to Nelson Mandela”
Imaginary letters from FW de Klerk to Nelson Mandela – published in French by Debats Publics in Paris in 2019. Available from Editions Débats Publics, 28, rue Bayard – 75008 Paris, France.
Available from Editions Débats Publics, 28, rue Bayard – 75008 Paris, France.
