Includes bibliographical references (pages 225-227) and index.
Contents:
Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- A background of conflict -- A new country -- Early days -- 1948 election: A broederbond triumph -- University, legal career and marriage -- Rivonia: Prelude to an unlikely but momentous partnership -- Verwoerd assassinated -- M.P. and Minister in Vorster's cabinet -- P. W. Botha -- Rubicon -- A change of heart in the eighties -- Exit Botha: Enter De Klerk -- Who is F. W. De Klerk? -- Opening of Parliament 2 February 1990 -- Reflections on the speech -- Why did he do it? -- Release of Mandela -- Negotiations -- Referendum: The last white election -- Nobel Peace Prize -- A freed nation: President Nelson Mandela -- Rugby World Cup 1995 -- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission -- De Klerk's submission to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission -- Effects of the TRC -- Retirement from politics -- Divorce, remarriage and murder -- The F. W. De Klerk Foundation -- Whither the Afrikaner -- The Amanpour interview -- Unfinished business -- Closing words -- Bibliography -- Index.
Summary:
"'A Question of Balance' is the only independent biography of FW de Klerk, former President of South Africa, who abolished the evil system of Apartheid on 2 February 1990. The book analyses: The relationship between FW and his father Senator Jan de Klerk who served as a minister in the cabinets of JG Strydom, HF Verwoerd and BJ Vorster; The circumstances that led to De Klerk succeeding PW Botha as President; The background to his famous Opening of Parliament speech; Why did he do it?; His complex relationship with sometime opponent, sometime colleague Nelson Mandela; The reality of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC); His divorce, remarriage and the horrendous murder of his first wife; His commitment to protecting the Constitution through the FW de Klerk Foundation."--Publisher description.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.