Mandela lauds FW
2006-03-18 08:17
Cape Town - There was almost "unchallenged recognition" of the role former president FW de Klerk had played to prevent a racial conflagration in South Africa, fellow Nobel peace laureate Nelson Mandela said on Friday.
"Around the world people recognise you as a historic peacemaker and nation-builder," Mandela said at De Klerk's 70th birthday celebration at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town.
Mandela said De Klerk had shown courage as few had done in similar circumstances when he dismantled apartheid and minority rule.
De Klerk released Mandela from prison in 1990, and the two were jointly awarded the Nobel prize for peace in 1993, with Mandela succeeding De Klerk as president in 1994.
Mandela acknowledged some public differences between the two statesmen in the past, but said their basic respect for one another had never diminished.
"And it was that respect for the other - irrespective of all differences - that made it possible for us ... to work together and to negotiate that historic compromise that the world marvelled at," said Mandela.
The gala evening was attended by approximately 200 guests and included first lady Zanele Mbeki and prominent business leaders.
Guests were entertained by the acerbic wit of MC Evita Bezuidenhout (Pieter-Dirk Uys), with another Nobel peace prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, blessing the occasion with an opening prayer.
- SAPA