Indefensible. Morally wrong. In February 1990, then President of South Africa F.W. de Klerk made a historic speech calling for an end to the apartheid regime. Alongside Nelson Mandela he lay the foundations for a new democratic South Africa and together they were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. But de Klerk didn’t do this for recognition. For fame or power. He did it because he recognised what was horrifically wrong and was prepared to make the 180 degrees turn to right it.
De Klerk never wanted to be a “professional politician”. In fact, his father taught him there was no such thing. He had to make a success of himself in his chosen profession first. A lawyer. And so, he did just that, learning and growing as a person. In the years of reform, he recognised his own past mistakes. He made no excuses and gave what he acknowledged was an unqualified apology for the pain and hurt the apartheid regime had caused.
Bringing about change, de Klerk emphasised the importance of mutual respect, listening, and facing problems head on. For he never saw problems as unapproachable, unmoveable, or unsolvable. To him problems were challenges to be accepted and he approached them as such.
F.W. de Klerk sadly passed on 11th November 2021, but his legacy lives on. His actions changed the lives of innumerable numbers of people for the better, and he showed what can be achieved with respect, hard work, and by adhering to sound principles of humanity.
Importantly, he taught us not to underestimate ourselves and to look out for each other.
“All of us have potential. And the great task and challenge in this world is to help, through creation of opportunities, to help each individual to achieve his or her full potential.”
The Last Trek: A New Beginning
