Africa: Lecture: 'The Impact of the Fall of the Berlin Wall on South Africa and the World' - Monday 16th November 2009 (transcript available - click here)
FW de Klerk
Former President of the Republic of South Africa
Frederik Willem (FW) de Klerk was born in Johannesburg on 18 March 1936 and was educated at Monument High School and Potchefstroom University. He practised as an attorney in Vereeniging from 1960 until 1972 when he was elected to Parliament. He was appointed to the cabinet in 1978 and during the following 11 years was responsible for the Mineral and Energy; Internal Affairs and National Education portfolios. In 1982 he was elected leader of the National Party in the Transvaal and became Chairman of the Minister’s Council in the House of Assembly in 1985. In February 1989 he was elected leader of the National Party. After his election as President in September 1989 Mr De Klerk initiated the transformation process that culminated in the adoption of South Africa’s first fully democratic constitution in December 1993. He served as Deputy President in the Government of National Unity until June 1996 when he withdrew the National Party from the GNU and became Leader of the Opposition. He retired from party politics in 1997. In 1999 Mr De Klerk published his autobiography, ‘The Last Trek: A New Beginning’ and established the F W de Klerk Foundation. In 2004 he established the Global Leadership Foundation in London. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize together with Mr. Nelson Mandela in 1993.
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