South Africa Who is F. W. De Klerk?
Fredrik Willem de Klerk (March 18, 1936 – November 11, 2021) was the seventh State President of South Africa and a key figure in dismantling apartheid, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Nelson Mandela.
De Klerk was born in Johannesburg to Johannes de Klerk and Corrie Coetzer. His father was an attorney who worked for the mining industry, providing young F.W. with early exposure to legal and political environments. De Klerk’s family background deeply influenced his later career choices.
After completing high school at Stellenbosch Boys’ High School, he studied law at Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (now North-West University). He also attended Goodenough College in London as a Rhodes Scholar. De Klerk returned to South Africa and began his legal career before entering politics.
De Klerk’s political journey was marked by rapid ascent within the National Party, which ruled during apartheid. In 1978, he became chairman of the Transvaal Provincial Division of the National Party Youth League and was elected to Parliament in 1982. By 1984, he held multiple ministerial positions, including those for Energy, Mines & Technology and Internal Affairs.
De Klerk’s tenure as State President from September 15, 1989, until May 9, 1994, was marked by significant reforms. He released Nelson Mandela from prison on February 11, 1990, and began negotiations to end apartheid, leading to the country’s first democratic elections in April 1994.
During his personal life, De Klerk married twice: first to Elita Georgiades in 1978, who died of cancer in 2003; then to Marike Willemse in 2007. He had two sons with Elita and one daughter with Marike.
His legacy is complex but undeniably significant. De Klerk’s decision to release Mandela and begin negotiations for democratic reform were crucial steps toward racial equality in South Africa, though his support of apartheid earlier in his career has also been heavily criticized. He passed away from mesothelioma on November 11, 2021, leaving behind a mixed but influential record.
Common Questions
What was F.W. De Klerk's early education?
De Klerk studied law at Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education and later attended Goodenough College in London as a Rhodes Scholar.
How did F.W. De Klerk become involved with the National Party?
After completing his legal studies, De Klerk entered politics and quickly rose through the ranks of the National Party, serving in various ministerial positions before becoming State President.
What were some key events during F.W. De Klerk's presidency?
Key events included releasing Nelson Mandela from prison on February 11, 1990, and initiating negotiations that led to the end of apartheid and South Africa's first democratic elections in April 1994.
Did F.W. De Klerk have any children?
De Klerk had two sons with his first wife Elita Georgiades, who passed away in 2003, and a daughter with his second wife Marike Willemse.
What was the legacy of F.W. De Klerk's presidency?
While controversial due to his earlier support of apartheid, De Klerk is credited for initiating reforms that ended apartheid in South Africa through releasing Nelson Mandela and negotiating a peaceful transition to democracy.
