Since the beginning of this century there have hardly been any wars between countries. Most conflict is now within countries between cultural, religious and language communities. All three of the world’s major ongoing wars – those in Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria – are being exacerbated by divisions between Islamist fundamentalists, and Shi’a and Sunni Muslims. The world’s seven minor wars – in Somalia, Nigeria, Iraq, Southern Sudan, Mali, the Sahel and Libya – likewise have their origins in the clashes between ethnic tribes, Islamist fundamentalists, moderate Muslims and Christians.

After so many decades of efforts to limit and eliminate nuclear weapons, it should be clear by now that none of the nuclear weapons states have the slightest intention of dispensing with their own nuclear weapons capability. There is, indeed, general agreement about the need to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons – and nuclear weapons states may from time to time be willing to enter into agreements regarding the rationalisation of their nuclear weapons arsenals – but there is no indication that they are prepared to do much more than give lip service to the elimination of this fundamental threat to human existence.

We have just held a 6th election, without allegations of serious irregularities, which has given rise to a widespread analysis that, even though our economy is in a parlous state, our democracy (at least) is stable.

Dear Mr President, FW De Klerk, Dear Mr Steward, Distinguished panelists, Dr Botha and Prof Bhorat, Dear Members of Parliament, the diplomatic corps, representatives from state institutions and from civil-society, Dear Theuns Eloff and all the great staff members of the FW de Klerk Foundation, Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends

Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to welcome you on behalf of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The topic of this conference – the debate on land and property rights – is heavily discussed in media, politics and society – basically everywhere in the country. When the De Klerk Foundation approached us to support this event, we did not have to think twice due to actuality and relevance of the issue.

Land reform – and by that I mean the debate on restitution, redistribution and tenure reform as well as on the use of land – touches so many key policy areas, for instance the agriculture sector, housing, urban and rural development and so on. It is also relevant for constitutional questions or issues of social justice. And finally it is especially related to the past of South Africa and the overcoming of the wounds which were inflicted. Many people are somehow affected by land reform and therefore everyone has his or her own perspective on the matter.

The FW de Klerk Foundation team would like to convey their warmest birthday wishes and congratulations to Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu, who is celebrating his 86th Birthday on Saturday, 7 October 2017. The Foundation would like to wish the Arch the very best of health for the year ahead, and give recognition to his lifelong efforts towards fostering a peaceful, non-racial, democratic South Africa. The Foundation applauds the Arch for speaking out for the constitutional values and rights upon which our democracy is built. Happy Birthday Arch!

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you all here this evening – and especially our guests of honour and recipients of the 2017 FW de Klerk Goodwill Award, Wayde van Niekerk and Ans Botha.

The Board of Trustees of the FW de Klerk Foundation established the FW de Klerk Goodwill Award in 2010 to give recognition to individuals and organisations that have made exceptional contributions to the promotion of goodwill between South Africans. Past winners include Dr Danny Jordaan (2011), Pieter-Dirk Uys (2012), Studietrust (2013), Patrice Motsepe (2014), Afrika Tikkun (2015) and Adv Thuli Madonsela and the Office of the Public Protector (2016). The Board of Trustees of the FW de Klerk Foundation decided at its last meeting in 2016 to award the 2017 FW de Klerk Goodwill Award to the coach and athlete team of Mrs Anna (Ans) Botha, and Mr Wayde van Niekerk.