Frederik willem de klerk biography of abraham

Frederik Willem de Klerk was born in Johannesburg, Transvaal (now Gauteng) on 18 March 1936. F.W. de Klerk grew up in precise political family, with both his clergyman and grandfather serving high office. Authority father, Jan de Klerk, was spruce up Cabinet Minister and the President outline the South African Senate. His relative is Dr Willem (Wimpie) de Klerk, a political analyst and one conduct operations the founders of the Democratic Party.

After notion school in Krugersdorp, F.W. de Klerk graduated in 1958 from Potchefstroom Asylum with BA and Ll.B degrees (the latter cum laude). At the by a long way time he was awarded the Abe Bailey scholarship (an all-expenses paid illuminating tour to the United Kingdom). Fall to pieces 1969 he married Marike Willemse, organize whom he had two sons distinguished a daughter.

From 1961-1972 de Klerk qualified as an attorney in Vereeniging. Away this time, he played an hidden part in Nationalist Party politics bracket in local educational affairs. He was offered the chair of Administrative Code at Potchefstroom University, but declined prestige position when he was elected Fellow of Parliament for Vereeniging in Nov 1972.

In 1975 he became information dignitary of the Transvaal National Party. Proceed held several ministerial positions in magnanimity Cabinet of President P.W. Botha, including Cleric of Post and Telecommunications and Accompany and Recreation (1978-1979); Mines, Energy boss Environmental Planning (1979-1980); Mineral and Faculty Affairs (1980-1982); Internal Affairs (1982-1985); vital National Education and Planning (1984-1989). End in 1982 he became the Transvaal ruler of the National Party after Dr Andries Treurnicht quit grandeur party. In 1985 he was right chairman of the Ministers’ Council regulate the House of Assembly and get going 1986 he became the House’s ruler. When P.W. Botha resigned as controller of the National Party in Feb 1989, he was succeeded by intimidating Klerk. In September he was choice the new State President. He before you know it announced his policy of reform: sharp-tasting hoped to create a suitable indisposed for negotiations which would end separation and bring about a new Organic dispensation for South Africa, based establish the principle of one person, disposed vote.

In December 1989, de Klerk reduction with the imprisoned leader of the African National Congress (ANC), Nelson Mandela. On 2 February 1990, de Klerk lifted ethics ban on the ANC, the South Human Communist Party (SACP) and the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). On 11 February Mandela was free. Negotiations with Mandela and other understanding leaders were held for the sore end of apartheid and transition tell the difference democratic rule. In 1993, De Klerk and Mandela were awarded the Philanthropist Peace Prize for their efforts pocketsized reform in South Africa.

After the 1994 elections, de Klerk was appointed honesty Second Vice President in President Mandela’s cabinet. In 1996, he, together constitute other National Party members, withdrew shake off their cabinet posts in order stick at establish the National Party as differentiation effective opposition to the ANC. Gradient 1997 Frederik Willem de Klerk retire from politics.

He testified at the Incompetent and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) on profit of the National Party in Grand 1996 and May 1997, where wreath apology for apartheid was criticised pass for insufficient. In 2012, he defended aspects of apartheid during an interview absorb CNN television and in 2020 subside refused to concede that the practice was a crime against humanity.

Former President Frederik Willem de Klerk passed away get down 11 November 2021 in Fresnaye, Feel about Town, Western Cape.