Fw De
Klerk - Motivational and Keynote Speaker -
Cape Town
Frederik Willem de Klerk (born 18 March 1936), often
known as F. W. de Klerk, is the former seventh and
last State President of apartheid-era South Africa,
serving from September 1989 to May 1994. De Klerk
was also leader of the National Party (which later
became the New National Party) from February 1989 to
September 1997.
De Klerk is best known for engineering the end of
apartheid, South Africa's racial segregation policy,
and supporting the transformation of South Africa
into a multi-racial democracy by entering into the
negotiations that resulted in all citizens,
including the country's black majority, having equal
voting and other rights. He won Félix
Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize in 1991, Prince of
Asturias Awards in 1992 and the Nobel Peace Prize in
1993 along with Nelson Mandela for his role in the
ending of apartheid.
Fw De Klerk
FW de Klerk was one of the main architects of South
Africa's constitutional democracy. During his
presidency (1989-1994) he played a central role in
initiating and managing the transformation process
that helped to resolve centuries of inter-community
conflict and create a basis for peace between South
Africa’s many and varied communities.
Frederik Willem de Klerk was born in Johannesburg on
18 March 1936, the son of Senator Jan De Klerk, a
senior Cabinet Minister. His school years were spent
mainly in Krugersdorp, where he matriculated at
Monument High School. He attended the Potchefstroom
University for Christian Higher Education and
graduated in 1958 with BA and LLB degrees (cum
laude). During his university years he was actively
involved in student affairs.
Fw De Klerk
Mr De Klerk was elected leader of the National Party
in the Transvaal in March 1982 and leader of the
National Party on 2 February 1989. On 15 August
1989, after the resignation of President P W Botha,
Mr De Klerk became Acting State President, and after
the general election of 6 September, was inaugurated
as State President on 20 September 1989. Mr De Klerk
served as State President until President Nelson
Mandela’s inauguration on 10 May 1994. During this
period he initiated and presided over the inclusive
negotiations that led to the dismantling of
apartheid and the adoption of South Africa’s first
fully democratic constitution in December 1993.
Fw De Klerk
After leading the National Party to the second place
in South Africa’s first fully representative general
election of 27 April 1994, Mr De Klerk was
inaugurated as one of South Africa’s two Executive
Deputy Presidents. He held this post until June 1996
when his Party withdrew from the Government of
National Unity. From then until his retirement from
active politics on 9 September 1997, Mr De Klerk was
the Leader of the Official Opposition.
Fw De Klerk
In January 2000 Mr De Klerk published his
autobiography 'The Last Trek – a New Beginning'
and the same year established the FW de Klerk
Foundation. He makes numerous speeches around the
world and actively participates as an elder
statesman in international conferences on the
promotion of harmonious relations in multi-communal
societies, the future of Africa and South Africa and
the challenges facing the world during the new
millennium.
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Fw De
Klerk - Motivational and Keynote Speaker -
Cape Town
