Former South African president De Klerk under fire again

21 Juin 2020

Cape Town, South Africa, June 21 (Infosplusgabon) – The American Bar Association is under fire over its announcement that former President FW de Klerk will address its upcoming 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting.

The Nobel Laureate is scheduled to speak about the rule of law, constitutional democracy, minority rights, social change, racism and global security.

Lukhanyo Calata, the son of murdered anti-apartheid activist Fort Calata, is leading calls for the association to withdraw its invitation.

The Pan African Bar Association of South Africa (PABASA) has also condemned the association for offering de Klerk a platform.

South Africa’s last white President sparked a storm earlier this year when he was quoted as saying that Apartheid was not a crime against humanity.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MPs heckled President Cyril Ramaphosa for more than an hour and prevented him from delivering his State of the Nation address in February.

They objected to having de Klerk in the gallery, labeling him a “murderer”.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu said it was irresponsible for de Klerk to debate the degree of awfulness of apartheid, given that its effects were still felt today.

"South Africa is on an economic precipice. It is beset by radical poverty and inequity. Those who suffered most under apartheid continue to suffer most today," Tutu said in a statement.

De Klerk subsequently apologised for his comments.

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