Frederik Willem de Klerk

Frederik Willem de Klerk (born March 18, 1936) was the last State President of South Africa, serving from September 1989 to May 1994. The last white man to lead the country, he was president at the end of apartheid. De Klerk was also leader of the National Party (which later became the New National Party) from February 1989 to September 1997.

Early career

Born in Johannesburg, De Klerk is the son of former Senator Jan de Klerk and a nephew of J.G. Strijdom (Prime Minister from 1954-1958). After completing high school in Krugersdorp, De Klerk graduated in 1958 from the Potchefstroom University with BA and LL.B degrees (the latter cum laude). In 1969 he married Marike Willemse, with whom he had two sons and a daughter.

Related Topics:
Johannesburg - Jan de Klerk - J.G. Strijdom - Prime Minister - 1954 - 1958 - Krugersdorp - Potchefstroom University - BA - LL.B - Cum laude - 1969

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"F.W.", as he became popularly known, was first elected to the South African Parliament in 1969 as the member for Vereeniging, and entered the cabinet in 1978. He became Transvaal provincial National Party leader in 1982. After a long political career and with a very conservative reputation, in 1989 he placed himself at the head of verligte ("enlightened") forces within the governing party, with the result that he was elected head of the National Party in February 1989, and finally State President in September 1989 to replace then president P.W. Botha when the latter was forced to step down after a stroke.

Related Topics:
Parliament - Vereeniging - Transvaal - 1989 - P.W. Botha - Stroke

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