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Summary: De Klerk-South Africa's greatest president-past or present
Review: FW de Klerk provides a fascinating perspective of his life, apartheid, and his struggles with ANC. After reading the book I came away with the opinion only someone like de Klerk could have the courage to end apartheid and then succesfully transform South Africa from a pyriah naiton to multi-racial democracy. De Klerk proves to be one of the underrated statesman of our time-his in a class all by himself. The last trek also provides valuable insight on his predecssor P.W. Botha. A must read for anyone who studies South African history.
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Summary: De Klerk - one of the most visionary statesman of our time
Review: I purchased The Last Trek after returning from a recent business trip to South Africa in the hope that it would shed light on how the white minority in that country manoeuvred itself into the predicament it now faces. --- It certainly did hence my positive four stars rating of this book.Recent events in Zimbabwe highlight the plight of ethnic minorities in countries ruled by an African majority. We have witnessed the steady disappearance one way or another of ethnic minorities across the African continent since the independence movement began in the late 1950's and 60's. Sometimes this has happened in a peaceful fashion like in Kenya where former British settlers quietly returned to the U.K. in the years following independence. Sometimes it's been abrupt and traumatic like when Idi Amin decided overnight to rob and deport Uganda's entire Indian community. Sometimes it's been horrific and bloody as recounted by former Portuguese citizens of Mozambique and Angola. Whatever the methods the end result has always been the same, reclamation of sovereignty by the African majority via the expulsion of non African minorities. With the exception of South Africa there are quite frankly no significant non African minorities in Sub Saharan Africa. This phenomenon is not restricted to Africa, I noticed a distinct lack of diversity driving around Harlem recently, in fact I challenge any non African to walk around let alone live in an African American neighbourhood. Mr De Klerk clearly demonstrated in his book that he was very much aware of the consequences of black majority rule; he also expressed unease in regard to the totalitarian tactics used by the ANC to intimidate opponents during the elections. Towards the end of his book he poignantly describes the modern post apartheid South Africa which confirms his original fears: "There is growing anxiety over the intolerable levels of crime in the country, there is anger over the apparently systematic murder of white farmers..there is alarm over the decline in services and standards; there is a sense of grievance over the reverse racial discrimination in unfairly applied affirmative action; there is deep concern over the perception that whites are now being made the scapegoats for all the ills of our society and that, in the future, the ANC will blame us for their failure to deliver on the promises they made to their supporters; there is disillusion over the perceptions that whites are no longer really welcome in the new South Africa unless they conform with the ANC's model." (p.394-395) Despite numerous diatribes on the part of the author reflecting on the moral righteousness of his actions Mr De Klerk leaves the reader with the distinct impression at the end of the book that the new South Africa he helped bring into being is a failure. There is a sense of unease about the future facing white South Africans, which the author tries to reconcile by arguing that the new South Africa was inevitable: "This book is, in essence, the story of how we, at last, confronted those realities and dismantled the laager of apartheid."(p.390). After reading this book however I would argue that Mr De Klerk was more than a pragmatist, he betrayed his people. By his people I mean the white minority that voted him into office, not the entire South African Nation over whom he had no franchise. Yes, I agree with Mr De Klerk's view that the dismantling of apartheid was inevitable however my concern is that he did so without providing his people with any form of safeguard in case the new rainbow nation did not work out. The tragedy of South Africa is best summarized by the following quotation from an eminent Zulu leader: "Towards the end of our meeting King Goodwill said that he anticipated that things would go worse in the new South Africa than they had gone in other African countries. He said that he had nowhere to run to with his white and black brothers."(p.307) These words are haunting because they encapsulate the key difference between the impending decolonisation of South Africa vs. every other former European colony; this time there is nowhere for the European minority to run to. Former colonists with British, French, Belgian and Portuguese passports could go home when things got tough, in the same way that Korean families fled African American neighbourhoods in L.A. after the last spate of rioting and racial intimidation. South African minorities don't have this option. Mr De Klerk was certainly not naive, nor was he an idealist; he was a pragmatist with an understanding of African history who knew that his people faced at best an uncertain future under black majority rule. Despite this he refused to demand any form of genuine guarantee for their safety lest it impede his growing fame as a world statesman. In the early nineties from a position of strength Mr De Klerk could have demanded dual nationality from the Western powers for every European, Cape Coloured and Indian South African, this should have been a non negotiable prerequisite to black majority rule given the history of that continent. If countries like the U.K., Holland, U.S.A, Australia and Canada, not to mention the Nordic nations were serious about dismantling apartheid they would have been hard put as a group not to give in to such a request, especially if they genuinely believed that democracy would lead to prosperity and peace. Despite my personal differences with the author I highly recommend this book as a stimulating, provocative read which provides a background to the upcoming tragedy about to unfold in Southern Africa.
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Summary: An important individual who is not perfect
Review: I think F W De Kelrk is a visionary in the sense that he forwsaw dire consequences for the Afrikaaners had they not relinquished power. The whole world watched in horror but did nothing when rwanda happened in 1994 the same could have been the case in South Africa had not De Kelrk swallowed his immense afrikaaner pride and said to himself "we ruled the country for 44 years and we were wrong, i either throw in the towel now and admit to the errors of my people or we go down the firy path of ethnic conflict (Bosnia 1992-1995) and possibly genocide (Rwanda 1994)" This was a nobel act in itself, but de Klerk has his faults, he was an admirer of Hendrik Verwoerd, the architech of modern aparthied and the Mengele of a latter day, in his youth. He was corrupt but so was Winnie Mandela, in one sense he was the best of a rather bad lot, next to the likes of John Vorster and P W Botha the man was a saint, but i would not go so far as to call him a savior for his people. He spared them from destruction but he was not able to do more. In todays S Africa AIDS, rape, violence, theft, and corrupt are rife, all are exposed to it equally now but i suppose nelson mandela has just as much to blame for that as does mr de kelerk
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Summary: a lesson in courage,honesty and human yearning for survival
Review: In The Last Trek,F.W de Klerk's treatment of his relationship with Nelson Mandela serves as an eye opener to all humanity.This places the book in a class of its own;honest,unequivocal,educative and deeply touching.In SPIRIT OF THE DEEP ,my new yet to be published book in celebration of Nelson Mandela and the South African people,I payed tribute to De klerk for having the huge courage to finally destroy the evil system of apartheid.The Last Trek gives us good insight into the very heart, mind and experience of this rainbow son of God.This moving book takes us on a journey of discovery into the courageous and no mean process of finally accepting the great wrong done to the South African people through apartheid.However you see the book ,The Last Trek ,is indeed,a lesson in courage,honesty and human yearning for survival and fulfilment.
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Summary: A New Dish!
Review: Most of my information about F.W. de Klerk, Nelson Mandela, and South Africa had come from my "feedings" at the "American Media Restaurant." And, I had the general view of these men that any American who hates racial discrimination would have. Mr. de Klerk was the bad guy while Mr. Mandela was the perfect picture of peace, love, and forgiveness in his righteous struggle against human injustice. However, what I found in this book was a fascinating fare of new foods and delicacies. If even 50% of the self-described actions of de Klerk are true, then he is likely the most misunderstood and misjudged world changer and political (and human rights) activist of our time. He had to negotiate a fragile peace agreement and reconciliation within a framework of self-absorbed, self-promoting leaders of S.A., but he succeed. Thank God he did. Far from being one of the champions of apartheid, President de Klerk was the main architect of the dismantling of apartheid. Not only did this book give me a new perspective and appreciation for President F. W. de Klerk, it also gave me a new and perhaps more accurate view of the all-to-human shortcomings of President Nelson Mandela.
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Summary: An insightful book
Review: This book gives great insight into the workings of the apartheid edifice from its inception to its collapse. De Klerk gives a candid account. He however comes accross as somewhat dismissive and patronizing to the point of insults to the black majority of his native country. The black people of South Africa and their struggles against an oppressive and openly racist system are simply brushed over as a footnote to the events that led to the collapse of apartheid. Injustices such as the ownership of 75 percent of the country by a minority that is barely 13 percent are glossed over as mere logistical problems. An important point to note on crime: While the crime rate in South Africa is unacceptably high, it is necessary to note that this has only become a major issue now that the white minority are exposed to the consequences of economic inequalities created under apartheid. The crime rate was kept artificially low during apartheid by segregation laws and a ruthless racist police force. From the black perspective, there is no significant increase in the crime rate. Indeed there has been a major reduction of state sanctioned violence against the black majority since the end of apartheid. This book is excellent if you want to look into the mind and workings of one of the most vile systems of governance ever conceived and implemented.
Rating:
Summary: An insightful book
Review: This book gives great insight into the workings of the apartheid edifice from its inception to its collapse. De Klerk gives a candid account. He however comes accross as somewhat dismissive and patronizing to the point of insults to the black majority of his native country. The black people of South Africa and their struggles against an oppressive and openly racist system are simply brushed over as a footnote to the events that led to the collapse of apartheid. Injustices such as the ownership of 75 percent of the country by a minority that is barely 13 percent are glossed over as mere logistical problems. An important point to note on crime: While the crime rate in South Africa is unacceptably high, it is necessary to note that this has only become a major issue now that the white minority are exposed to the consequences of economic inequalities created under apartheid. The crime rate was kept artificially low during apartheid by segregation laws and a ruthless racist police force. From the black perspective, there is no significant increase in the crime rate. Indeed there has been a major reduction of state sanctioned violence against the black majority since the end of apartheid. This book is excellent if you want to look into the mind and workings of one of the most vile systems of governance ever conceived and implemented.
Rating:
Summary: De Klerk, a story about South Africa
Review: THis is the ultimate book on the resting place of SOuth AFrica. Klerk details his childhood, explaining his roots in Afrikaner culture(thus the title 'THe Last Trek'). He talks about the war years and about the victory of the nationist party and the begginings of aprthied under Malan and Verwoerd. He also talks about the heady years of Botha(the imperial president). he explains the meaning of the word 'coloured' talking about the Cape coloureds and he talks about the Indian voting blocks. THis is a book about a great nation and its tormented past. Deeply divided and ethnically challenged South Africa is struggling today to escape its past. Rape and crime is higher then ever in modern day S. Africa. land invasions are the norm. Mr. De Klerk may be regretting what he accomplished but this book is the ultimate study of the ultimate questions concerning race.
Rating:
Summary: De Klerk, a story about South Africa
Review: THis is the ultimate book on the resting place of SOuth AFrica. Klerk details his childhood, explaining his roots in Afrikaner culture(thus the title 'THe Last Trek'). He talks about the war years and about the victory of the nationist party and the begginings of aprthied under Malan and Verwoerd. He also talks about the heady years of Botha(the imperial president). he explains the meaning of the word 'coloured' talking about the Cape coloureds and he talks about the Indian voting blocks. THis is a book about a great nation and its tormented past. Deeply divided and ethnically challenged South Africa is struggling today to escape its past. Rape and crime is higher then ever in modern day S. Africa. land invasions are the norm. Mr. De Klerk may be regretting what he accomplished but this book is the ultimate study of the ultimate questions concerning race.
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