It is an honour and a pleasure for me to address you today on the question of “history and leadership”.

There is much debate about the role of individual leaders in history. Is history the product of impersonal social, demographic and economic forces – or is it driven by individual leaders? 

Some commentators believe that history is driven by great socio-economic forces – and that the role of individuals is marginal. Others argue that it is great individuals – the Alexander the Greats, the Julius Caesars and the Napoleons – who – for better or for worse – determine the course of history. Perhaps it is a combination of both factors: all ages are subject to the ebb and flow of socio-economic tides – but destiny is often determined by exceptional individuals who know how to navigate those tides and who sometimes catch the breaking wave of history.At critical times great individuals have come to the fore: “cometh the hour, cometh the man.”

It is perhaps appropriate to reminisce on the eve of one’s 80th birthday – and at this age I can assure you that there is great deal about which I can reminisce!

I spent my childhood on a smallholding near Krugersdorp. I remember our garden, the rockeries that my mother lovingly tended and our little orchard of peach trees. I used to help harvest the peaches that we would sell in the nearby town. I remember growing up, more or less an only child because my brother Willem was eight years older than me. My father was already busy with his political career and was often away.

It is a great honour for me to be able to address you today here in Bogotá. 

We live in a troubled world – and many of those troubles have their roots in the inability of countries to find peaceful solutions to the conflicts that continue to divide their societies.

The FW de Klerk Foundation decided to dedicate its annual conference this year to the consideration of the future of multiculturalism in South Africa. 

We did so because of the strains that have been developing in relations between our communities and because of the central importance of reaching agreement on how communities in our complex multicultural society should relate to one another in the future.  These are questions that will play a key role in determining the long-term success of our society and the security and happiness of all our peoples.

Firstly, let me start by thanking former President de Klerk for the role he played in bringing about real change to our country.  When all the noise has died down future historians will judge positively the role you played in the liberations of all South Africans, black and white.  Real leaders make difficult and selfless choices and become statesman, and you did just that.  You and President Mandela crossed the dangerous Rubicon when you were called upon to do so.

So many academic papers and treatises have been written about coloured identity that I am not going to revisit the usual arguments set forth when this topic is addressed. Not least because it was the label that determined my entire life under apartheid, but also because it still follows me wherever I go. 1994 did nothing to save me from this classification and today I feel quite ambivalent talking about colouredness.

The issue of the language of education at schools and universities is obviously a very timely and topical one given the increasing shift towards the use of English not only as the main medium of education, but even the exclusive official language used in instruction and administration in an increasing number of South African schools and universities.