Latest Speech: SPEECH BY FORMER PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK TO THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY, LONDON, 12 MAY 2009

THE RECENT ELECTION AND THE COMING ZUMA PRESIDENCY South Africa has much to celebrate: despite a few minor administrative hitches our elections on 22 April were as free and fair as those of any other constitutional democracy. Last Saturday, the Chief Justice - representing our independent judiciary and the sovereignty of the Constitution, inaugurated Mr Jacob Zuma as South Africa’s fourth democratically elected president. The transfer of power from one president to the next took place peacefully and constitutionally and was covered by our free and sometimes very critical media.

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		SPEECH BY FORMER PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK TO THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY, LONDON, 12 MAY 2009 THE RECENT ELECTION AND THE COMING ZUMA PRESIDENCY South Africa has much to celebrate: despite a few minor administrative hitches our elections on 22 April were as free and fair as those of any other constitutional democracy. Last Saturday, the Chief Justice - representing our independent judiciary and the sovereignty of the Constitution, inaugurated Mr Jacob Zuma as South Africa’s fourth democratically elected president. The transfer of power from one president to the next took place peacefully and constitutionally and was covered by our free and sometimes very critical media.	2009-05-12
		Universities, Diversities and the Constitution This is an arena – particularly in South Africa – in which our universities can and must play a leading role in their pursuit of academic excellence. They are best positioned to develop our indigenous languages to the point where, one day, they can also become academic languages of instruction. Our universities can also serve as the repositories and guardians of our rich and diverse histories and traditions. In so doing they can help to inculcate a sense of pride and worth in all South Africans.	2009-02-26
		North-West University – Official opening of the FW de Klerk exhibition On 22 January 2009 the North-West University (NWU) honoured one of probably its best known alumni, when the F W de Klerk exhibition was officially opened.	2009-01-22
		BUILDING PEACE AND THE WORLD WITHOUT VIOLENCE THROUGH THE SAFEGUARDING OF COMMUNITY RIGHTS The question we can ask ourselves is the degree to which recognition of human rights has progressed since then and the contribution that the observation of human rights has made to building peace and without violence. We can then ask how the observation of human rights can further contribute to peace in the future.	2008-12-11
		HOW TO FOSTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DEMOCRATIC VALUES WORLDWIDE The simple reality is that democracy and freedom work. There is a correlation between freedom and success in virtually all spheres of national endeavour. Freedom brings higher levels of economic growth; and it contributes to peace – since genuine democracies do not go to war with other genuine democracies. Freedom unlocks the enormous potential in human beings and the organisations that they create. People in free societies also tend to be happier than those who live in societies that are not free.	2008-12-11
		TEN REASONS WHY I AM PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN This is, perhaps, a season of gloom and despondency when one considers the implications of the global economic crisis. Prophets of doom are forever pointing to the enormous problems that confront us - problems of AIDS, poverty, crime, inequality and poor education. They are disheartened by the irresponsible statements of some politicians and despair for the future. All these negatives are realities - and only a fool would ignore them. However, if our history has taught us anything it is that the people of South Africa have a remarkable ability to confound the pessimists.	2008-12-02
		THE CHALLENGE OF THE CENTURY: MANAGING DIVERSITY One of the inescapable implications of globalisation is an enormous increase in the interaction between people from different backgrounds, cultures, languages and religions. The management of the resulting cultural, language and religious diversity will be one of this century’s greatest challenges - for the international community; for countries and for companies.	2008-11-15
		THE THIRD WORLD - IS IT SINKING OR SHRINKING? There is a tendency to be pessimistic about the future of mankind, now that we are in the grip of the worst financial down-turn since the Great Depression. Some people even question the wisdom of continuing to follow free market principles in the manner in which we allocate resources and manage our economies.	2008-11-03
		SOUTH AFRICA’S TRANSITION TO FULL DEMOCRACY Twenty years ago South Africa was caught in the grip of a seemingly irresolvable conflict. • The National Party government was increasingly isolated in the international community; • the country was involved in a downward spiral of insurrection and draconian states of emergency; and • the economy was lurching from crisis to crisis. Very few international observers believed that there was any hope for the peaceful resolution of our problems.	2008-10-29
		THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGING: TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE I should like to take this opportunity of bringing you greetings from home – or rather the home of your distant ancestors. According to the latest research the ancestors of all of the people in the world outside of Africa left our continent around 90 000 - 85 000 years ago. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA which is passed down through the female line - as well as of the Y chromosome - which is passed along the male line - indicates definitively that we all come originally from Africa. The oldest human population is the San - formerly known as the Bushmen - of southern Africa - who can now be found only in the desert fastnesses of the Kalahari.	2008-10-24
		Bridging the gap: Globilisation without isolation An important factor in determining the future well-being of the students of your university and the people of Oklahoma will be how the United States will play its global leadership role in a rapidly changing world that is full of threats and opportunities. That is the topic that I would like to address tonight - and it is, of course, also a central topic in your current presidential elections. If the world has become a globalised village, there can be little doubt that – for the time being - the United States is its Mayor and – its Chief of Police. America holds these positions – not because it has been elected to them – but because of its unchallenged military, economic and technological pre-eminence.	2008-10-13
		South Africa - a prognosis for the future I remain confident about the future of South Africa. Our people have a special ability to succeed and to overcome challenges. We astounded the world in 1994 and we shall astound it again in the years that lie ahead. I believe that we still have the ability to pull off miracles!	2008-09-30
		STATEMENT BY F W DE KLERK ON THE 90TH BIRTHDAY OF MR NELSON MANDELA It is a great pleasure for me to congratulate Nelson Mandela on his 90th birthday. He is the most famous South African who has ever lived and is universally regarded as one of the greatest figures of the 20th century.	2008-07-17
		Speech by FW de Klerk to the Cape Town Press Club, 25 June 2008 I have taken the unusual step of asking to address you. I did so, because I am deeply concerned over a number of recent developments – developments that I fear will undermine the great national accord upon which the new South Africa has been established.	2008-06-25
		Speech by FW de Klerk to the Cape Town Press Club, 25 June 2008 I have taken the unusual step of asking to address you. I did so, because I am deeply concerned over a number of recent developments – developments that I fear will undermine the great national accord upon which the new South Africa has been established. That national accord is articulated in our 1993 and 1996 constitutions. It was negotiated in a process which involved painful compromises from all sides. It resulted in a solemn commitment to clearly defined principles which form the cornerstones of our new dispensation.	2008-06-25
		South Africa and the Rule of Law It is a great pleasure for me to be able to address you this evening on the rule of law - a topic on which the future success of South Africa so closely depends.	2008-06-04
		Toast to celebrate 60 years of Israel's independence, 9 May 2008 Sixty years ago the people of Israel re-established a Jewish state in the Holy Land. For the first time in almost two thousand years they ruled themselves within their own state again. This momentous event signalled the fulfillment of the prayers of countless generations of Jews in the diaspora.	2008-05-09
		Speech by former State President FW de Klerk to the Würth Congress, Cape Town South Africa - the way ahead Will South Africa be able to capitalize on its abundant human and natural resources? Will it become the first African country to break into the first world? Or will it subside into the stagnation, corruption and conflict that sadly has come to characterize much of the rest of the continent? These are the questions that I would like to address today - in a prognosis for the new South Africa.	2008-04-24
		South Africa - the road ahead I could dwell on the hazards, obstacles and traps that confront us in South Africa - that in some circles are causing yet another bout of jitters regarding the future of our country. My Foundation is receiving increased mail from concerned - and sometimes - very bitter South Africans full of gloom, doom and despondency. They blame me for “selling the country down the river”, of opening the way to another Zimbabwe, of surrendering to the forces of darkness - by which they generally mean Eskom. One of our critics even accused me of being responsible for Eskom’s power blackouts	2008-03-27
		THE ROLE OF THE CAPE TOWN CLUB IN THE CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY I should like to take this opportunity, at the outset, to congratulate the Cape Town Club on its 150th anniversary. The Club - and its predecessors the City Club, the Civil Service Club and the Here XVII Club - have been important institutions in Cape Town since colonial times.	2008-03-13
		Remarks by FW de Klerk at the launch of the gold and platinum FW de Klerk Medallions: Gold Reef City: 20 February 2008 It is right and proper that we South Africans should commemorate the peaceful transition of our country to constitutional multiracial democracy. Our collective achievement in doing so is the shining moment of our history and serves as an inspiration to all mankind and as an example to other divided societies throughout the world	2008-02-21
		Remarks by FW de Klerk at the launch of the gold and platinum FW de Klerk Medallions: Gold Reef City: 20 February 2008 It is right and proper that we South Africans should commemorate the peaceful transition of our country to constitutional multiracial democracy. Our collective achievement in doing so is the shining moment of our history and serves as an inspiration to all mankind and as an example to other divided societies throughout the world	2008-02-21
		Speech by former President FW De Klerk to the Interlaken Alpen Symposium: Interlaken, Switzerland, 22 Jamuary 2008: Leadership in a multicultural environment - building bridges in a divided world Everywhere in the world people are on the move: they are cramming into leaky boats in West Africa and crossing the sea to the Canary Islands. They are leaving Albania on their way to Italy. They are hitching rides on freight trains through Central America and Mexico in search of a better life in the United States. They are flooding across the borders of South Africa from Zimbabwe and from countries as far away as Burundi and Gabon.	2008-02-13
		SPEECH ON CIVIL SOCIETY BY FORMER PRESIDENT F W DE KLERK TO THE FIRST GLOBAL FORUM ON NEW DEMOCRACIES: TAPEI, 25 JANUARY 2008 Ultimately, the foundation of all democracies is the concept of popular sovereignty and the seminal idea that government should be subject to the will of the people.	2008-01-25
		South Africa: Looking back, looking forward Just three weeks ago South Africa won the rugby world cup in Paris. There were scenes of uninhibited jubilation involving South Africans of all races throughout the country. There was no doubt for the revellers - whatever their race or background - that this was “our” team and that their victory had enabled all South Africans to walk a little taller. This was despite the fact that the whole team - apart from two brilliant players - was white. President Mbeki featured prominently in the victory celebrations at the Stade de France that followed the Springboks victory. He was embraced by the team and was born jubilantly on their shoulders while he held the world trophy high - to the rapturous acclamation of the crowd.	2007-11-07
		Bridging the gap: Globalisation without isolation Speech by formere state president FW de Klerk to the University of St Francis, Illinois, USA	2007-11-01
		Managing change - the vital difference According to the latest research the ancestors of all of the people in the world outside of Africa left our continent around 100 000 years ago. Analysis of DNA through the female and male lines indicates definitively that we all come originally from Africa. The DNA record also accords with recent archeological finds along the Cape coast that have revealed some of the earliest traces of homo sapiens as well as some of the earliest examples of human art.	2007-10-05
		The end or a beginning: Leadership on the way to a new president In just three months the ANC’s National Consultative Conference will be convened in Polokwane. It might well be the most important political event in the thirteen-year history of the new South Africa. This is because those gathered in Polokwane will not only determine who South Africa’s President until 2019 will be – but also what political and economic doctrines we will follow for the next decade.	2007-09-26
		Woodside Special Care Centre benefits from donation by FW De Klerk Foundation and Kids Rights International A special donation to the Woodside Special Care Centre WSCC) in Rondebosch East was made by Mr FW de Klerk on behalf of his FW de Klerk Foundation and Kids Rights International recently. Money donated by Kids Rights of the Netherlands to the FW de Klerk Foundation are donated to selected charities.	2007-09-25
		STATEMENT BY F W DE KLERK ON RECENT PRESS REPORTS REGARDING ADRIAAN VLOK AND JOHANN VAN DER MERWE AND THE NPA Last Friday a report appeared in the Mail & Guardian under the heading “De Klerk faces a Vlokking”. It was accompanied by a front page headline that read “Vlok trial: FW in the dock?” The report was based on a confidential source who alleged that Mr Vlok and General van der Merwe would incriminate me in gross violations of human rights that occurred under the former government when they appear in court next month.	2007-07-26
		AMNESTY In the wake of the NPA’s decision to charge Mr Adriaan Vlok and General Van der Merwe I should like to make the following observations regarding our amnesty process. Amnesty was, from the outset, a sine qua non for negotiations. In 1990 the NP government enjoyed overwhelming military superiority. Clearly there would have been no settlement without a sure expectation that members of the old order would not be victimised by any new government. Equally, members of the ANC and other banned organisations needed indemnity to enable them to return to South Africa to participate in the negotiations.	2007-07-26
		FW De Klerk's position on involvement in, or knowledge of, gross violations of human rights, during and before his presidency 1. Knowledge of Gross Violations of Human Rights 1.1. F W de Klerk was never the minister of a security department or part of the securocrat inner circle during the presidency of P W Botha. 1.2. The perpetration of gross violations of human rights was not discussed in the Cabinet or in the State Security Council. In as far as such abuses occurred they were authorised and managed by mechanisms outside of the Cabinet and SCC. 1.3. Non-security ministers were not informed of such activities or of many of their other activities. 1.4. After he became President, the security forces did not brief Mr De Klerk regarding any previous or ongoing operations that might have involved extra-legal activities.	2007-07-26
		National Credit Indaba In a speech today to the National Credit Indaba at Sandton, FW de Klerk said that South Africa’s future success would be determined by the degree to which its leaders would be able to resist pressures to embark on ideological courses and instead be guided by the pragmatic demands of the economy and of the globalised world; and secondly, by their ability to abide by the national accord articulated in the Constitution.	2007-07-12
		MANAGING CHANGE – THE VITAL DIFFERENCE According to the latest research the ancestors of all of the people in the world outside of Africa left our continent around 100 000 years ago. Analysis of DNA through the female and male lines indicates definitively that we all come originally from Africa. The DNA record also accords with recent archeological finds along the Cape coast that have revealed some of the earliest traces of homo sapiens as well as some of the earliest examples of human art.	2007-05-10
		Managing change - the vital difference According to the latest research the ancestors of all of the people in the world outside of Africa left our continent around 100 000 years ago. Analysis of DNA through the female and male lines indicates definitively that we all come originally from Africa. The DNA record also accords with recent archeological finds along the Cape coast that have revealed some of the earliest traces of homo sapiens as well as some of the earliest examples of human art.	2007-05-10
		Speech by former President FW de Klerk to the World Presidents Organisation, Chicago: Managing Change Speech made by Mr De Klerk in Chicago on managing change	2007-04-16
		Speech by former State President F W de Klerk to the Salisbury University, Maryland, USA Leadership and Making a Difference	2007-04-09
		The new South Africa at thirteen Speech by former president FW de Klerk to the PSG Konsult National Conference: Sun City	2007-03-02
		Speech by Mr FW de Klerk at the Africa Dialogue Series of the Centre for International Political Studies a the University of Pretoria THE problem with Africa is not Africa, but poverty. These were the words of former State President FW de Klerk and chairman of the FW de Klerk Foundation at the Africa dialogue series presented by the Centre for International Political Studies of the University of Pretoria.	2007-02-28
		FW de Klerk at the Afrikaans language congress, University of Pretoria Speech by Mr FW de Klerk at the Afrikaans language congress of the National Forum for Afrikaans at the University of Pretoria	2007-02-23
		Building business bridges in a divided world Speech by former President FW de Klerk to the Africa and Middle East conference	2006-11-27
		7the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates Nuclear Weapons: Clear and Present Danger - the Future of Nuclear Energy	2006-11-07
		Launch of the CFCR Speech by FW de Klerk on the launching of the FW de Klerk Foundation Centre for Constitutional Rights.	2006-10-25
		Combatting Terrorism in a Globalised World Speech by FW de Klerk to Kent State University in Ohio, USA.	2006-09-11
		The role of business and civil society in the New South Speech by Former President FW de Klerk which was read to the Institute of Directors in Johannesburg by Dave Steward.	2006-06-06
		The Crisis in Africa? Speech by former president FW de Klerk to the Sixth Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, Rome.	2005-11-25
		Opening statement by FW de Klerk in his dialogue with Tokyo Sexwale A Public Dialogue organised by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation and the Faculty of Humanities, UCT.	2005-10-24
		Bridging the Gap: Globalisation without Isolation Speech by Former President FW de Klerk to Northwest Missouri State University, Missouri.	2005-10-05
		The Global Challenge of Terrorism and Personal Security Speech delivered by FW de Klerk to the Stern Stewart Institute, Rotach-Egern.	2005-09-23
		How can the International Economic Community Influence Africa's Democratic and Social Transformation? Speech by former president FW de Klerk to the Global Panel, Munich.	2005-09-22
		The Effective Management of Great Changes and the Role of Leadership Speech by former president FW de Klerk to the Association of Chief Executive Officers, Athens.	2005-05-19
		Beyond Prosperity: The Search for Identity, Justice and Sustainable Development in a Globalising World Speech by former president FW de Klerk to the Academic Society of Lund University, Sweden.	2005-05-09
		Making a Difference Speech by Former President FW de Klerk to the Young Presidents’ Organisation, Cape Town.	2005-04-21
		Learning from the Example of the Jewish Board of Deputies Speech by Former President FW de Klerk, Cape Town.	2005-04-20
		The World Presidents' Organisation Speech by FW de Klerk to the WPO, Paarl.	2005-04-10
		Building an African Common Sense Consensus between Government, Business and Communities Address by Dave Steward at the Conference on Integrated Governance, Cape Town.	2005-04-07
		The Arts and Reconciliation Festival Speech by FW de Klerk delivered at the Closing Ceremony of the Arts and Reconciliation Festival, Pretoria.	2005-03-20
		Globalisation Without Isolation Speech by FW de Klerk to Murray State University, Kentucky.	2005-03-10
		The Role of Minorities in the New South Africa Speech delivered by former president FW de Klerk to the Cape Town Press Club, Cape Town.	2005-02-28
		Doing the Right Thing Speech by FW de Klerk to the Oxford Union, Oxford.	2005-01-28
		The Concept of an African Peace Corps Remarks by former president FW de Klerk to the Institute of International Mediation and Conflict Resolution.	2005-01-12
		The New SA After 10 Years: En Route to the First World Speech by FW de Klerk to the Stern Stewart Institute, Schloss Fuschl, Austria.	2004-10-29
		Bridging the Gap: Globalisation Without Isolation Speech by former president FW de Klerk to the Omaha Townhall, Nebraska.	2004-10-27
		South Africa: The Road Ahead Speech by former president FW de Klerk to the Eskom African Business Leaders Forum in Johannesburg.	2004-10-13
		SA's Second Decade: From Democratic Transformation to Economic and Social Transformation Speech by FW de Klerk to the National Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers, Arabella.	2004-10-04
		The Effect of Santions on Constitutional Change in SA Speech delivered by Dave Steward on behalf of former president FW de Klerk to the Institut Choiseul, Paris.	2004-06-14
		The National Assembly Charter: 10 Years of Democracy Speech by FW de Klerk to a special joint session in the National Assembly Chamber to celebrate Ten Years of a Democratic Parliament.	2004-05-10
		Justice, Reconciliation and Peace in the 21st Century Speech by FW de Klerk to Morehouse College, Atlanta, on accepting the Community Builders Prize.	2004-04-03
		The Economic and Social Transformation of South Africa Former president FW de Klerk's address to the Foreign Correspondents Association, Johannesburg.	2004-03-15
		Building Peace in Divided Societies Speech by FW de Klerk at a Conference on 'Restoring Hope: Building Peace in Divided Societies', Arabella.	2003-05-05
		The Nature of Reform: Reform in Practice Speech by FW de Klerk to the Universidad Technologica de Mexico, Mexico City.	2002-10-17
		South Africa's Progress on Democracy: 8 Years On Speech by FW de Klerk to Living Newspaper.	2002-09-30
		The FW de Klerk Memorial Lecture Speech by FW de Klerk at Potchefstroom University on 'South Africa's New Constitutional Dispensation: Challenges and Opportunities'.	2002-09-23
		Promoting Peace& Understanding between Divided Communities Speech by FW de Klerk to the Glencree Reconciliation Centre.	2002-08-06
		The Challenge of Diversity: Co-Existing in a Globalised World Speech by FW de Klerk to St George's House, Windsor Castle.	2002-06-07
		The Crisis in the Middle East Speech by FW de Klerk to University of Kansas.	2002-04-20
		Conference on Foreign Ministers Speech delivered by FW de Klerk to the Prague Society for International Cooperation.	2001-05-29
		Promotion of Harmony in a Pluralistic World Speech delived by former president FW de Klerk.	2001-03-21
		ARCO Forum of Public Affairs Speech delivered by FW de Klrek to the ARCO Forum of Public Affairs, Harvard University.	2001-02-07
		South Africa: The Miracle Revisited Former President FW de Klerk's speech delivered to Stanford University in Palo Alto.	2001-01-29
		Is there a Future for Sub-Saharan Africa Speech by former president FW de Klerk to 'People in Need', Prague.	2000-10-16
		The Crisis in Zimbabwe Speech delivered by FW de Klerk during a New National Party Golf Day.	2000-05-05
		Beeld forum Speech by FW de Klerk at the 'Beeld' forum.	2000-02-01
		Millennium Speech Speech by FW de Klerk to the Young Presidents' Organisation, Antarctica.	2000-01-01
		Remarks by FW De Klerk at the launch of the Gold & Platinum FW De Klerk Medallions, Gold Reef City, 20 February 2008 It is right and proper that we South Africans should commemorate the peaceful transition of our country to constitutional multiracial democracy. Our collective achievement in doing so is the shining moment of our history and serves as an inspiration to all mankind and as an example to other divided societies throughout the world.	0000-00-00