F. W. de Klerk Quotes
It was fortunate in looking back for South Africa and its entire people that Mandela and I found it possible to work together even though big strains developed between us from time to time.
De Klerk, F. W. "Statement by FW de Klerk on the Death of Nelson Mandela." FW de Klerk Foundation, 6 Dec. 2013.
South Africa’s transition from apartheid white minority rule to an interracial society with Black majority rule was one of the great political achievements in history. The Black leadership set a tone of reconciliation and inclusiveness that there was neither back retribution and vengeance, nor extensive white flight. Tutu and Nelson Mandella were two of those most resonsible for the leadership, but the good will and Christian charity of the South African blacks was the key to the success where all other white dominated African nations were NOT able to transition without extensive violence and/or flight.
Frederik Willem de Klerk OMG DMS is a South African retired politician, who served as State President of South Africa from 1989 to 1994 and as Deputy President from 1994 to 1996. As South Africa's last head of state from the era of white-minority rule, he and his government were forced to dismantle the apartheid system and introduced universal suffrage. Ideologically a conservative and an economic liberal, he led the National Party from 1989 to 1997.