De Klerk 'was brave'

2010-02-02 11:05

Johannesburg - Former president FW de Klerk was "one of the braver apartheid rulers", former ANC secretary-general Cyril Ramaphosa told SABC radio on Tuesday.

South Africans on Tuesday were celebrating their political freedom 20 years to the day after De Klerk stunned the world by announcing the release from prison of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.

Addressing the opening of parliament in Cape Town on February 2 1990, De Klerk, who had been president only a few months, caused shock by announcing the reversal of a ban on the African National Congress and dozens of other political parties, trade unions and human rights groups.

"It is time for us to break out of the cycle of violence and break through to peace and reconciliation," De Klerk said. "The silent majority is yearning for this."

'He had to do it'

De Klerk also announced Mandela's unconditional release after 27 years behind bars for resisting racist rule, as part of a series of steps aimed at enfranchising the black majority and drafting a new democratic constitution.

Mandela was released from Victor Verster prison near Cape Town nine days later to scenes of wild rejoicing and led the ANC in three years of multi-party negotiations on the transition to democracy.

"He (de Klerk) was brave. Of all the apartheid rulers he was the braver one, who took the steps," Ramaphosa told SAfm on Tuesday.

But Ramaphosa, who led the process of drafting the new constitution, was also adamant that de Klerk's hand had been forced by pressure inside and outside the country for reforms.

"He had to do it," he said.

De Klerk himself linked his decision to the collapse of socialism in eastern Europe a few months earlier - a development that eased fears among white South Africans that the ANC, if allowed to govern, would impose communist rule.

De Klerk, who was jointly awarded a Nobel Peace Prize together with Mandela in 1993, was due to address a conference in Cape Town on the theme: "20 Years after 2 February 1990: Looking Back, Looking Forward."

Further commemorative events are planned next week on the anniversary of Mandela's release. It is not yet clear whether a frail Mandela, 91, will himself participate in the events.
 

- SAPA