Issued by Christo van der Rheede on behalf of the FW de Klerk Foundation on 07/06/2024

The Executive Director of the FW de Klerk Foundation welcomes the ANC’s NEC’s consideration of establishing a Government of National Unity.

Christo van der Rheede has always believed we must deploy and leverage all the talent in the country to take us forward. He, therefore, agrees with the ANC that extraordinary and visionary leadership and practical action are now needed to deepen national unity, peace, stability and to build an inclusive economy on the basis of non-racialism and non-sexism.

However, sweet talk is not what is needed at this critical juncture – it is now time to deliver practical and tangible outcomes.

The modalities of a Government of National Unity must, therefore, be finalised as soon as possible. Outdated ideological thinking must give way to progressive and pragmatic thinking to achieve job creation and inclusive economic growth. As well as, to address service delivery, crime and corruption.

The NEC is also right in its assumption that South Africans are tired of division and empty promises. The time is ripe for multi-party and multi-stakeholder cooperation. Indeed, South Africans expect their leaders to work together to meet their needs. The Foundation agrees that our people expect political leaders to find common ground, to overcome differences and to work together for the benefit of all.

The time of self-interest is over. So is the time of selfishness, self-enrichment, egocentrism and delusions of grandeur.

The Foundation emphasises that the ideal of a non-racial society cannot be built on continued racial classification, racial quotas and discriminatory demographic targets. If the ANC is serious about nation building this must be done away with. There are other meritocracy-based tools to make the workplace more representative and to build an inclusive economy.

The Foundation is more than willing to help guide the establishment of a Government of National Unity and national dialogue. It is through constructive dialogue that we take the country forward. Threats, blackmail, incitement and suspicion, on the other hand, will only lead to division and conflict. This we should not tolerate and entertain.